On Christmas Eve, worshippers flock to downtown Vancouver to attend Christ Church Cathedral for the four Christmas Eve services.
At 1pm is Gospel Music for the City, the Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir leads the music in worship with a full repertoire of Gospel songs focusing on the theme of the birth of Christ punctuated by readings from Scripture.
At 4pm is Carols for the City with a Salvation Army Brass Band leading the music. Congregational singing is very much encouraged and between the carols there are readings from Scripture and some inspirational messages from the clergy of the two denominations.
At 8 and 11pm are two Celebrations of the Eucharist - Mass for the City.
For 2018, the presider was the Rector of Christ Church Cathedral and Dean of the Diocese of New Westminster, the Very Reverend Peter Elliott. This will be the last time that Dean Elliott will preside at the Eucharist on Christmas Eve at Christ Church Cathedral as he will retire from this ministry, September 30, 2019. The preacher for both Celebrations of the Eucharist was the Most Reverend Melissa Skelton, Archbishop of the Diocese of New Westminster and Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of BC and Yukon.
(An audio file of Archbishop Skelton's homily is available here)
To commemorate this historic liturgy, photographer Wayne Chose attended the 11pm worship and captured these beautiful images of the service.
Here are selected photos that follow the chronology of the worship.
IMAGES
- The Star
- Dean Elliott welcomes the 11pm congregation
- With Archbishop's Chaplain, Kerry Baisley, ODNW, Archbishop Skelton blesses the creche
- The Cross and Candles of the Procession approach the chancel platform steps
- Members of Cathedral Choir lead the Opening Hymn
- The Sanctuary Party are in place following the Procession
- Thomas Roach, ODNW reads the Old Testament
- Donna Wong-Juliani reads the Epistle
- Deacon of the Word and Table for the Eucharist, the Reverend Alisdair Smith censes the Bible and the Ambo prior to proclaiming the Gospel
- Proclaiming the Gospel
- A view of the Gospel reading from the organ loft
- Archbishop Skelton preaching
- A view of Archbishop Skelton preaching from the organ loft
- The Creed
- The Intercession
- At prayer during the Intercession
- Acknowledging the Icon during the Offertory
- Censing the Altar during the Offertory
- Preparing the table for the Eucharist
- Receiving the Gifts
- Members of Cathedral Choir
- Members of Cathedral Choir
- The Eucharistic Prayer
- Gifts of God for the People of God
- String players provide music during Communion
- A chorister sings during Communion
- Preparing to administrate the Body of Christ
- Holy Communion
- Holy Communion
- Gathering in the chancel to sing Silent Night
- The Procession out is in place.
PHOTOS: Wayne Chose