Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

This Easter, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's religious programming offers viewers a mix of intrigue, discussion, worship and music across TV, radio and online.

From documentaries promising to shed light on years of speculation, to traditional music and worship themed around the 250th anniversary of George Frideric Handel's death, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has something for everyone.

On Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One, This Joyful Eastertide – a Eucharist for Easter Day – is followed by Pope Benedict XVI's traditional Easter message and blessing. Urbi et Orbi, "to the city and to the world", will broadcast live from St Peter's Square, Rome.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One also tells the fascinating story of the five years which transformed the life of Karol Wojtyla, the man who would become Pope John Paul II. Young John Paul II – Witness To Evil is a powerful drama-documentary which tells the story of how his wartime experience helped to shape his thinking – and set him on the path to the Vatican.

Also on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One, The Narnia Code examines the mystery of a secret code hidden within Britain's best-loved series of children's books: The Narnia Chronicles. CS Lewis expert Michael Ward reveals a secret code rooted in medieval Christian symbolism, embedded within the writer's tales of make-believe and fantasy.

In the first of a series of programming across the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ marking the anniversary of Handel's death, Aled Jones introduces two special editions of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One's Songs Of Praise, celebrating the most famous and best-loved sacred music, Handel's Messiah. Recorded in The Town Hall, Birmingham, a choir of 900 singers join acclaimed soloist Elin Manahan Thomas, tenor Rhys Meirion and bass Jonathan Lemalu. Composer and Handelian expert Howard Goodall reveals the man behind the music and examines the worldwide appeal of the greatest "singalong" of all time.

Continuing his personal look at Handel's Easter masterpiece, Howard Goodall introduces an hour-long documentary, Hallelujah! The Story Of Handel's Messiah on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two's The Private Life Of An Easter Masterpiece investigates the story of the great "lost" Caravaggio painting, The Taking Of Christ, which vanished two centuries after completion. The rediscovery of the painting in a home for Jesuit priests in Dublin is one of the most extraordinary tales in art history and the programme features the Italian art restorer who discovered it.

During Holy Week, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four will screen the acclaimed drama The Passion, which retells the story of the last week of Christ's life from three different viewpoints – the religious authorities, the Romans and Jesus himself – and The Creation, a Barbican classic concert from last year's Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Proms.

On Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio, focus also turns to the 250th anniversary of Handel's death with live music from Handel's Messiah, amongst other highlights for Easter.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2's Ken Bruce introduces At The Foot Of The Cross – a specially recorded come-and-sing performance of Messiah joined by a choir of over 200 listeners and the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra in a packed St Paul's Cathedral – and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3 broadcasts Messiah live from Westminster Abbey.

Plus, Radio 3's Easter Day Festal Evensong will feature a sequence of Resurrection music from Handel's Messiah, live from The Queen's Free Chapel of St George in Windsor Castle. The programme also includes the triumphant Evening canticles in D by George Dyson.

Also on Radio 2, in a special Listen To The Band programme for Good Friday, Frank Renton introduces music with direct connections to The Salvation Army.

In Aled Jones With Good Morning Sunday, Aled is joined by Dame Judi Dench, celebrity chef Brian Turner and Jeremy Paxman, with live music from Ken Burton and the celebrated London Adventist Ensemble.

Meanwhile, Brian D'Arcy continues the celebrations with a selection of hymns, anthems and readings for Easter Glory from Wells Cathedral in Somerset.

Radio 3 has a feast of choral music leading up to Easter, broadcasting Office Of Tenebrae – the Office Of Shadows live from Westminster Cathedral.

Joan Bakewell's guests on Belief on Radio 3 include the first female Muslim peer, Baroness Uddin; Catholic screen writer and author, Frank Cottrell Boyce; and Dr Stephen Smith, Director of the National Holocaust Centre.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4's Today programme welcomes The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, on Good Friday's Thought For The Day slot.

The theme of this year's annual Radio 4 Good Friday Liturgy is Passion In The City where Rev Milton Williams tells the story of the Crucifixion from the point of view of an African-American community in Washington DC.

Christ Church, Oxford hosts Radio 4's Easter Sunrise Service. Then, also from Christ Church, Easter Sunday Worship provides a joyful Easter Eucharist. Glorious Easter hymns including Handel's own Thine Be The Glory, led by the choir of Christ Church, will express the great joy and hope of the Resurrection.

To mark the 800th anniversary of the foundation of the Franciscan order, during Easter Week, Radio 4's Daily Service goes on pilgrimage to Assisi with the Royal School of Church Music Millennium Youth Choir.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ online also has lots of in-depth, accessible material about the historical Jesus, the Crucifixion and the theology surrounding Easter. A selection of Easter programming is available to watch online or download via Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer – go to the Religion & Ethics category.

EDA/LK/Radio Publicity