Welcome
God has been worshipped in this place through the prayers and praises of countless generations. Worship lies at the heart of our life as Christians and we express our theology and belief through our liturgy. It is through these liturgical patterns of words and actions that we are formed and transformed.
Should you wish to translate this order of service into another language, please choose your language in the bottom right. There is a guest wireless network available within the Cathedral for those without a mobile data connection.
Please note that this service may be live streamed for our online congregation. By participating in this service, you acknowledge that you may be visible or audible. If you are uncomfortable about this possibility, please speak to a steward or verger, who will be able to advise further.
The ministry of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is made possible entirely through the support of individuals like you. The donations which we receive from people all over the world support our worship and music tradition, education programmes, and community outreach work, as well as contributing towards the vast cost of maintaining this historic building. Should you wish to donate online, please tap the donate button.
What is Choral Evensong?
Choral Evensong at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is a tiny fragment of something else: it is part of the worship which is offered to God by people every hour of the day and night, in every corner of the world. When you come to Evensong here, it is as if you are dropping in on a conversation already in progress – a conversation between God and his people. So do not be surprised or concerned if there are some parts that you do not understand straight away.
Evensong is drawn almost entirely from the Bible. Much of the language spoken and sung in this service is that spoken by worshippers more than four hundred years ago. It may sound old-fashioned, but its meaning is not out of date. We invite you to allow the music and words to speak to you in the beauty and peace of this place.
Racial Justice Sunday
The Primate’s Reference Group on Ethnic Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Justice was formed in 2021 as an initiative of the Archbishop of Armagh, The Most Reverend John McDowell. The purpose of the group is to advise the Primate on ways in which the Church of Ireland can reflect upon and practice the full inclusion of ethnic minority and migrant members in Church and wider society.
Racial Justice Sunday is an initiative of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, of which the Church of Ireland is a co-founding member. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Racial Justice Sunday, which was established by the Methodist Church in 1995 following the tragic racist murder of Black teenager Stephen Lawrence in south-east London, in April 1993.
You are invited to say the text in bold in English.
Please stand as the Minister, at the West End of the Cathedral, sings
Let us pray.
Please remain standing to sing the
Hymn
1. O vision blest of heavenly light,
Which meets the three disciples’ sight,
When on the holy mount they see
Their Lord’s transfigured majesty.
2. More bright than day his raiment shone;
The Father’s voice proclaimed the Son
Belov’d before the worlds were made,
For us in mortal flesh arrayed.
3. And with him there on either hand
Lo! Moses and Elijah stand,
To show how Christ, to those who see,
Fulfils both law and prophecy.
4. O Light from light, by love inclined,
Jesu, redeemer of mankind,
Accept thy people’s prayer and praise
Which on the mount to thee they raise.
5. Be with us, Lord, as we descend
To walk with thee to journey’s end;
That through the Cross we too may rise,
And share thy triumph in the skies.
6. To thee, O Father, Christ to thee,
Let praise and endless glory be,
Whom with the Spirit we adore,
One Lord, one God, for evermore. Amen.
George Timms (1910–2003); Percy Buck (1871–1947)
Please remain standing whilst the Minister and Choir sing the
Preces & Responses
O Lord, open thou our lips.
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord’s Name be praised.
Herbert Sumsion (1899–1995)
Please sit as the Choir sings the
Psalm
PSALM 12
Salvum me fac.
Help me, Lord, for there is not one godly man left: for the faithful are minished from among the children of men. They talk of vanity every one with his neighbour: they do but flatter with their lips, and dissemble in their double heart. The Lord shall root out all deceitful lips: and the tongue that speaketh proud things. Which have said, With our tongue will we prevail: we are they that ought to speak, who is lord over us? Now for the comfortless troubles’ sake of the needy: and because of the deep sighing of the poor, I will up, saith the Lord: and will help every one from him that swelleth against him, and will set him at rest. The words of the Lord are pure words: even as the silver, which from the earth is tried, and purified seven times in the fire. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord: thou shalt preserve him from this generation for ever. The ungodly walk on every side: when they are exalted, the children of men are put to rebuke.
Please stand for
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Please sit for the
First Lesson
Genesis 4: 1–16
Please stand as the Choir sings
Magnificat
My soul doth magnify the Lord: and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded: the lowliness of his hand-maiden. For behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations. He hath shewed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel: as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Service in B flat; Charles Villiers Stanford (1852–1924)
Please sit for the
Second Lesson
Mark 3: 7–19
Please stand as the Choir sings
Nunc Dimittis
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace: according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen: thy salvation, which thou hast prepared: before the face of all people; to be a light to lighten the Gentiles: and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Service in B flat; Charles Villiers Stanford (1852–1924)
Please remain standing to say the
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth: and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary: suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty: from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost: the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints: the forgiveness of sins: the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Minister and Choir sing the
Suffrages & Responses
The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Please kneel or sit, according to your custom
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us.
And grant us thy salvation.
O Lord, guide and defend our rulers.
And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
Endue thy Ministers with righteousness.
And make thy chosen people joyful.
O Lord, save thy people.
And bless thine inheritance.
Give peace in our time, O Lord.
Because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only thou, O God.
O God, make clean our hearts within us.
And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
The Minister intones the
Collect of the Day
O Lord, who hast taught us that all our doings without charity are nothing worth; Send thy Holy Spirit, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before thee: Grant this for thine only Son Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
Collect for Peace
O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed; give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee we being defended from the fear of our enemies may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Collect for Aid against all Perils
Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Remain seated whilst the Choir sings the
Anthem
For lo I raise up that bitter and hasty nation, Which march through the breadth of the earth, To possess the dwelling places that are not theirs. They are terrible and dreadful, Their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves. Their horses also are swifter than leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves. And their horsemen spread themselves, Yea, their horsemen come from far. They fly as an eagle that hasteth to devour, They come all of them for violence; Their faces are set as the east-wind, And they gather captives as the sand. Yea, he scoffeth at kings, And princes are a derision unto him. For he heapeth up dust and taketh it. Then shall he sweep by as a wind that shall pass over, And be guilty, Even he, whose might is his God. Art not Thou from everlasting, O Lord, my God, mine Holy One? We shall not die. O Lord, thou hast ordained him for judgment, And thou, O Rock hast established him for correction. I will stand upon my watch and set me upon the tower, And look forth to see what he will say to me, And what I shall answer concerning my complaint. And the Lord answered me and said: The vision is yet for the appointed time, And it hasteth toward the end, and shall not lie, Though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come. For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea. But the Lord is in his holy temple: Let all the earth keep silence before him.
Charles Villiers Stanford (1852–1924)
Please stand whilst the Preacher moves to the Pulpit for the
Sermon
Preacher: The Venerable D. A. Pierpoint, M.A. Canon Treasurer
Please be seated for the Sermon. At the end, the Preacher will conclude with a prayer, during which the congregation will stand.
The Minister says
Let us pray.
Please kneel or be seated for the
Prayers
At the end, all say
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all, evermore. Amen.
Please stand to sing the
Hymn
1. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Hearts to heaven and voices raise;
Sing to God a hymn of gladness,
Sing to God a hymn of praise;
He who on the cross a victim
For the world’s salvation bled,
Jesus Christ, the King of glory,
Now is risen from the dead.
2. Christ is risen, Christ the first-fruits
Of the holy harvest-field,
Which will all its full abundance
At his second coming yield;
Then the golden ears of harvest
Will their heads before him wave,
Ripened by his glorious sunshine
From the furrows of the grave.
3. Christ is risen, we are risen;
Shed upon us heavenly grace,
Rain, and dew, and gleams of glory
From the brightness of thy face;
That we, Lord, with hearts in heaven,
Here on earth may fruitful be;
And by angel-hands be gathered,
And be ever safe with thee.
4. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glory be to God on high;
To the Father, and the Saviour,
Who has gained the victory;
Glory to the Holy Spirit,
Fount of love and sanctity;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
To the Triune Majesty.
Christopher Wordsworth (1807–85); Arthur Sullivan (1842–1900)
During the hymn, a collection of money is made. You can donate online by tapping the Support Us button in the bottom left.
Blessing
Please remain standing as the Choir and Clergy depart.
Please remain at your seat for the duration of the
Organ Voluntary
Acknowledgements
Developed by the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Education Department: Clark Brydon (Education & Safeguarding Officer).
Material in this service is reproduced from The Book of Common Prayer, © RCB 2004.
Translations are provided automatically by Google Translate. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is not responsible for automatically generated content or for content on external websites.
To report a problem or to send feedback and suggestions, please email: education@stpatrickscathedral.ie