Grandisson Service of Lessons and Carols
Tel: 01392285983
Tel: 01392285983
All are welcome at this unique service of lessons and carols for Christmas, which opens with Bishop John de Grandisson's service for Christmas. Still Exeter's longest-serving bishop (1327-69), Bishop Grandisson wrote his service specifically for Exeter Cathedral, using its Choristers and architecture to provide a unique start to Exeter's Christmas celebrations. The service continues with well-known readings, music and hymns.
When the present Cathedral was newly completed, Bishop Grandisson, inserted into the Christmas liturgy a special ceremony. In 'this most holy night' of Christmas Eve two choristers with lighted tapers emerge from behind the high altar and, with the rest of the Choir, announce the birth of our saviour, first in the Quire, then in the Nave. Our modern service begins with this ancient ceremony, its words taken from the Ordinale Exoniensis of 1369, set to music by Thomas Armstrong (Organist of Exeter Cathedral from 1928 to 1933). The Good News of the Nativity of Jesus Christ is then proclaimed more fully in readings of scripture, hymns and carols. While we refer to the texts sung by the Choir as 'carols', several of them are more properly motets, anthems or antiphons, although each seeks to reflect upon the adjacent scripture.
In the hope that all at this service will find joy in their worship both now and throughout Christmastide.
FREE to attend but tickets must be booked in advance.
Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
---|---|
Standard | Free |
Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.
Grandisson Service of Lessons and Carols (23 Dec 2024) | ||
---|---|---|
Day | Times | |
Monday | 18:00 | - 19:00 |
Grandisson Service of Lessons and Carols (24 Dec 2024) | ||
---|---|---|
Day | Times | |
Tuesday | 18:00 | - 19:00 |
Experience sumptuous harmonies in an idyllic festive setting, with the original X Factor…
In this series of three ONLINE talks Exeter Cathedral's three Canon Theologians will…
Following their successful Praetorius tour in 2022, Gabrieli Roar presents 'A Grand…
Accompanied by Benji Kirkpatrick & Alex Hart Following on from the sell-out success of a…
We are delighted to announce the Cathedral Choir's seasonal performance of Handel's…
We welcome back London Mozart Players for an all-Mozart programme. The main work is the …
Join the London Concertante as they celebrate the festive season through the magical…
British baritone Thomas Humphreys joins the choir for a concert of glorious English…
Get in the festive spirit by spending your lunchbreak singing traditional Christmas…
Join Exeter Philharmonic Choir at its ever-popular two nights of 'Carols in the…
In this series of three talks Exeter Cathedral's three Canon Theologians will explore…
Exeter Cathedral's renowned choir returns for the most popular Christmas carol concerts…
The Exeter Nativity returns, with a star studded cast taking the parts of all the well…
This experience is brought to you by Candlelight Concerts.
This concert is not…
ISCA ENSEMBLE
Musical Director Roger Hendy
Leader Antony Clements
ISCA ENSEMBLE…
Part of: Words for the Word: Advent in prayers, psalms and preaching
In this series of…