There is a tradition in some churches that at the end of worship on Maundy Thursday, anything adorning the altar is taken away so that the church is plain and bare for Good Friday and Holy Saturday, the most solemn days of the year. It is done as night falls and ends with all the lights being extinguished, leaving the church in darkness. When we gather again on Easter Sunday, the altar will be dressed in white, the cross and candlesticks newly polished - beauty is restored for the celebration of the Resurrection.

We hope you find this recording of the altar being stripped at St. Clement's to be an aid to your Holy Week reflections.