Ripon Cathedral will make history on Sunday, when its Easter Day service is streamed live on YouTube, as the building remains closed to the public because of restrictions caused by the coronavirus crisis.

The Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Wilfrid, whose roots go back more than 1300 years, is using the internet to ensure that the key day in the Christian calendar can still be shared by parishoners and other viewers, in their own homes.

The Dean of Ripon, The Very Reverend John Dobson, told the Stray Ferret:

“I will be leading the service, which will be shown live at 10.30am and the address will be given by the Bishop of Leeds, The Rt Reverend Nick Baines.”

The last Sunday service held in the cathedral was on the fourth Sunday of Lent, when just seven parishoners – spaced throughout the building to ensure social distancing was maintained – observed as the Dean conducted the Sung Eucharist. That service was also beamed live into approximately 100 homes.

As the government stepped up its advice on the need to adhere to measures to reduce social contact, the Church of England, in common with other faiths, closed all of its churches.

Those wishing to tune in to the Cathedral’s Easter Sunday service can do so via its website.

An Easter Day message from The Very Reverend Dobson, will be posted on The Stray Ferret on Sunday.