Donkey to lead off Holy Week events at Abbey (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Donkey to lead off Holy Week events at Abbey

9:44am Friday 22nd March 2013 in Romsey

Romsey Abbey is gearing up for a bumper Easter celebration which begins this Sunday, Palm Sunday, with a procession of palm leaves.

It will be led by Charlie Brown, the donkey, from the south Garth of the Abbey all the way round to the north door, reneacting Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.

Maundy Thursday (March 28) will see Romsey Abbey Primary School gathering for a special Easter Cross Service, where an empty cross is transformed by hundreds of bunches of flowers. At 2.30pm on Maundy Thursday, the Abbey’s vicar, the Revd Tim Sledge, will be joined in the Cornmarket by Town Mayor, Mark Cooper and MP, Caroline Nokes, for a session of shoe-shining, re-enacting the washing of the Disciples’ feet.

On Good Friday, there is a children’s activity morning in the church rooms from 9.30am and there is a more reflective service in the Abbey at 10am and an Act of Witness in the Cornmarket, involving all the churches in Romsey, at 11.45am.

On Easter Day, the Abbey will be transformed with hundreds of flowers and a great Easter Day celebration service, followed by an Easter egg hunt. Vicar, Tim Sledge, said “Easter for Christians is the most important time of the year; it takes us to the great heights of emotions and the depths of human sadness. We hope that over the week, there is something for everyone, for all ages and families.”