Choral Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral 2025/26
Sung by the Cathedral Choir
Choral Evensong (Sung Evening Prayer) is one of the most beloved musical services of prayer in the Anglican Church. Based on the ancient monastic schedule of daily prayer, it features readings from the scriptures, including psalms and canticles, as well as hymns and prayers. In Cathedral worship, it is usual for the choir to do most of the singing, allowing time for members of the congregation to reflect and pray, uplifted by the music.
Inspired by Psalm 141 verse 2, we use incense at Choral Evensong, symbolising the rising of our prayers to God: "Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."
In this way, our prayer becomes multi-sensory, as the music is enhanced by the visual beauty of the rising incense, and the sweet aroma.
Choral Evensong is free to attend, and all are welcome - from any faith background, or none. There is no Eucharist (Holy Communion) at Choral Evensong, and generally no sermon. Services usually last around 45 minutes.
2025/26 Schedule
Choral Evensong will be sung on the following Sundays at 4pm in the 2025/26 choral season at the Cathedral:
September 14, 2025: Holy Cross Day
October 26, 2025: The 20th Sunday after Pentecost
November 9, 2025: Remembrance Sunday
December 14, 2025: The 3rd Sunday in Advent
January 11, 2026: The Baptism of the Lord
February 8, 2026: The 5th Sunday in Epiphany
March 8, 2026: The 3rd Sunday in Lent - International Women's Day
April 19, 2026: The 3rd Sunday of Easter
May 10, 2026: The 6th Sunday of Easter
June 14, 2026: The 3rd Sunday after Pentecost
The music that will be sung at each service is published on our event pages.
Choral Evensong is one of our weekly Sundays@4 offerings: Evening Prayer with music in varied styles, including Taizé, Holden Evening Prayer, Organ Vespers, and Broadway Vespers. The weekly schedule is available here.
Please join us in person for Choral Evensong - there is no livestream. Incense is used at all Sundays@4 services, including at Choral Evensong.