Services
Introduction
Rochester Cathedral has been a place of Christian worship since AD604. With its roots in the Benedictine tradition, the ongoing daily pattern of morning and evening prayer and Eucharist (or Holy Communion) continues the prayers and praises of countless generations in this Cathedral.
Holy Communion
Holy Communion (also known as the Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper, or the Mass) is celebrated daily in the Cathedral. In this service:
we gather as the church, the body of Christ
we listen to God’s word
we give thanks over bread and wine for all that Jesus has done and continues to do for us and remember the meal Jesus shared with his disciples on the night before he died
we are sent out to serve God’s world
The Cathedral Eucharist
The Cathedral Eucharist is a sung celebration of Holy Communion with beautiful music and the richness of the liturgy, as we gather to celebrate all that Jesus has done and continues to do for us. There are hymns and songs, a choir, usually a sermon, and the service lasts about an hour and a quarter.
There is a Cathedral Eucharist every Sunday (and on Christmas Day).
Morning Prayer
Morning Prayer is a service of prayer and praise to begin the day.
A simple, said service of Morning Prayer, which lasts approximately 15 minutes, takes place at 07:45 Monday to Friday and at 08:45 on Saturdays, Bank Holidays and certain other days during the year.
Choral Evensong
As the day begins with Morning Prayer, so the day ends with an evening service of prayer and praise, using the traditional language of the Book of Common Prayer. This is normally sung by the Cathedral Choir (lasting about 40 minutes).
Choral Evensong outside of choir terms is sung by a visiting choir or replaced by said Evening Prayer – please check the current Music List (above) for details.
Compline
The ancient office of Compline derives its name from a Latin word meaning ‘completion’ (completorium). It is above all a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day.
Music List
To view the detailed schedule of services and any changes to the regular pattern of services for the next two weeks, please see the ‘Music List’, which can be found here when available.
Sunday 30th Aug - Sunday 13th Sept
You may wish to check this before your visit if you are planning to join us for sung services.
Downloads
Hymn sheets for upcoming services:
Download service sheets for these services:
Usual pattern of services
Sunday
0800 Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) 1030 The Cathedral Eucharist 1030 Sunday Club meets in the Crypt (Term Time Only)
1515 Choral Evensong
Monday
0730 Silent Prayer (with a reading from the Rule of St Benedict)
0745 Morning Prayer
0800 Holy Communion
1730 Evening Worship sung by Youth Choir (term time only)
Tuesday
0730 Silent Prayer (with a reading from the Rule of St Benedict)
0745 Morning Prayer
1300 Holy Communion
1730 Choral Evensong sung by The Choristers
Wednesday
0730 Silent Prayer (with a reading from the Rule of St Benedict)
0745 Morning Prayer
0800 Holy Communion
1730 Evening Prayer (Said)
Thursday
0730 Silent Prayer (with a reading from the Rule of St Benedict)
0745 Morning Prayer 1300 Holy Communion
1730 Choral Evening sung by the Cathedral Choir
Friday
0730 Silent Prayer (with a reading from the Rule of St Benedict)
0745 Morning Prayer 0800 Holy Communion
1730 Choral Evensong sung by the Lay Clarke
Saturday and Bank Holidays
0830 Silent Prayer (with a reading from the Rule of St Benedict)
0845 Morning Prayer
0900 Holy Communion 1515 Evening Prayer or Choral Evensong with visiting choir
