The Archbishop of Canterbury is to give his Easter sermon online for the first time this weekend.

As church services are halted over the coronavirus crisis, Archbishop Justin Welby has recorded a seasonal service to mark the biggest event in the Christian calendar from the kitchen of his London flat using an iPad.

A preview of the Archbishop's Easter sermon

On a typical Easter morning, the Archbishop presides before a congregation of about 1,500 at Eucharist in Canterbury Cathedral.

But this Sunday will mark the Church of England's first national digital Easter service.

The Most Rev Justin Welby will be joined by others including the Bishop of Dover, The Rt Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, who will shine a light on how churches in the Diocese of Canterbury are helping to guide worship remotely while congregations are unable to gather.

Theodore Levings, a 10-year-old member of All Saints Church in Canterbury, will also lead prayers during the service, with each contributor having recorded their segment from the safety of their home.

The Archbishop will use his sermon to respond to the current uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus crisis.

“Even in the dark days of this Easter we can feed on hope," he will say. "We can dream of what our country and our world will look like after the pandemic.”

The Archbishop's sermon will also highlight the courage of those on the frontlines of the battle against Covid-19.

“After so much suffering, so much heroism from key workers and the NHS,” he will say, “we cannot be content to go back to what was before as if all is normal. There needs to be a resurrection of our common life.

“So many people right across the country are anxious about employment, food, are isolated from loved ones and feel that the future looks dark. People right across the globe feel the same uncertainty, fear, despair and isolation. But you are not alone.”

The service will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday. It will also be available to watch on the Church of England’s Facebook page and website from 9am.

It will conclude with a large, national virtual congregation singing Thine be the Glory, submitted by BBC Radio listeners in advance.

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