Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is expected to address a service of repentance and reconciliation in Johannesburg on Sunday following recent xenophobic violence, the Anglican church said in a statement.

Johannesburg's Anglican churches would close for the event, to be held at St John's College from 9.30am.

"Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu will be the preacher, and a number of other dignitaries have been invited to attend," read the statement, issued on Tuesday.

Reverend Doug Torr, of the organising team, said they were expecting about 3000 people, adding that it was not just for Anglicans.

"Such a service is a powerful statement of the Anglican church's rejection of the prejudice that threatens to de-stabilise our society and our determination to stand in solidarity with those whom God has created and loves," said Bishop Brian Germond.

"It is also a statement to our political leaders that it is incumbent upon them to correct the problems that helped give rise to the violence."