Easter Services in Beijing: Where to Celebrate This Weekend

Despite China's less than warm approval of the various religions of the world, there's always a surprising amount of Easter services in Beijing. This Easter Sunday, Apr 21, is no different, and although it's not nearly as easy to find a service in our fair city compared to where we come from, Beijing nevertheless has a number of good options.

Apr 19: Beijing International Christian Fellowship
Begin your Easter weekend celebrations with this Good Friday service at the 21st Century Theater in Liangmaqiao. The service will be bilingual and is non-denominational. 7-9pm. 21st Century Theater

Apr 19 and 21: Beijing Baptist Church (BBC)
Beijing Baptist Church will host two services on Easter weekend. On Good Friday (Apr 19), service will be held at a congregation member's home from 7-8pm (for location and directions, please email info@beijingbaptistchurch.org). Then on Easter Sunday (Apr 21), the Beijing Baptist Church will celebrate Christ's resurrection during their normal worship service at the German Center in the Liangmaqiao area at 10am.

Apr 21: Beijing International Christian Fellowship
BICF also hosts services on Sunday for their Wudaokou congregation. There will be three services throughout the day, at 9am, 11am, and 6pm. There will also be a kid's program, a prayer, and thanksgiving, and lunch will be served at 1.30pm. RMB 40 (lunch). 9am, 11am, 6pm. BICF, Xijiao Hotel Conference Center

Apr 21: Congregation of the Good Shepherd
The Congregation of the Good Shepherd (COGS) is a liturgical, interdenominational Christian fellowship in Beijing. This Sunday, they will hold an Easter service with Holy Communion at 10am on the third floor of the Capital Mansion Athletic Club in Liangmaqiao. Children can enjoy an Easter egg hunt after the service, while a buffet lunch will be available to the entire congregation (RSVP to Spencer Musick via WeChat: musickpsm). Open to foreign passport holders only. 10am. 3/F, Capital Mansion Athletic Club

Apr 21: St. Joseph's Wangfujing Church (Dongtang Cathedral)  
St. Joseph's Wangfujing Church will host a Catholic mass at noon on Easter Sunday. Aside from its central location, St. Joseph's is also set apart by its striking architecture and a fascinating backstory, which you can read more about here. Midday. St. Joseph's Wangfujing Church

If you're looking for a celebration of the foodie kind, click here for our guide to Easter brunches.

Photos: Wikimedia, courtesy of the organizers