Traditional Vespers, followed by Benediction, are now sung every Sunday evening at 6pm at St Wilfrid's Church in York. The first occasion was last Sunday and it went pretty well, despite not many members of the choir being familiar Vespers.
Vespers consists of five psalms sung to an appropriate psalm tone, each being preceded and concluded by by an antiphon. It is the antiphons that can be a little tricky for the new comer, as each has its own tune. There is also a short reading, or chapter, and the service concludes with the Magnificat.
Anyone unfamiliar with Vespers may find themselves at sea on the first occasion, but after attending a few times, it will all fall into place. Many people then find themselves hooked on on the music of Vespers. There is also the reward of Benediction afterwards.
2 comments:
What a pity that Vespers only
starts well after Park and ride
has closed(5-30p.m.on Sundays
I believe.) Considering York's
punitive parking charges, this
must exclude people from outside the city who would like to attend what must be the only Parish Sunday Vespers within a radius of a hundred miles. Would not 4p.m. be a better start time?
The above is a very valid point, although I have found it possible to park near St Wilfrid's Church at that time on a Sunday evening. The car park in St Leonard's Place has reopened, and it is sometimes possible to find free on street parking at that time, as the restrictions are lifted at 6pm on Sundays at some locations. A little local knowledge is helpful.
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