Services held behind closed doors as churches celebrate Easter Sunday during coronavirus lockdown

  • Anglia

Christians across the Anglia region have celebrated Easter Sunday at home, by joining services streamed online.

Parishes across the region have adapted their services, with many coming from inside vicarages and rectories.

The Dean of Ely, who led the Easter Sunday service, has adapted a 12th Century section of his home to act as a makeshift altar.

The Very Revd Mark Bonney said: "My study is part of the original monastic buildings, so I've turned around a little bit of it under an arch, set up an altar and candles, and it looks slightly churchy."

Churches have been told to shut as part of the coronavirus lockdown Credit: ITV Anglia

Their services have been live-streamed on YouTube for several weeks, and the Dean said many of their congregation have adapted well to the new, digital ways of worshipping.

"There are some members of our congregation - mostly older ones - have taken on this with a degree of relish that's surprised me. They've been having Zoom tea parties and drink parties with their friends", he added.

At Norwich Cathedral, the choirs have recorded hymns to accompany the services, each member singing a line before the whole piece was uploaded to YouTube.

WATCH: Norwich Cathedral boys choir sing Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer

While churches have adapted quickly to the coronavirus lockdown conditions, Norwich's Master of Music Ashley Grote said it was still sad to see the buildings empty.

He said: "For the building to be sat there empty is very sad thing but I think it's important to remember at this time that the church is about much more than just a building it's about a whole community of people."

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