Worship in the Minster Factsheet 4
The Minster, like any other church, was built to be used as a place of worship of God in the Christian tradition. Worship is the most important work of the church and by the church we mean a community of people as well as the building in which they meet for worship. Worship takes place in York Minster every day of the year. Ever since the founding of the Saxon Minster a community of clergy has had a duty to pray at fixed times through the day. Morning prayer (matins) is said in the quiet of the early morning with only a few people present on Sundays however, a major choral service is attended by a large congregation. The service of Holy Communion (also known as the Eucharist or Mass) takes place at least once a day.
A Minster priest celebrates Holy Communion
Each afternoon there is a sung service of evening prayer called Evensong. The choir is made up of professional male singers and boys or girls from the Minster School How is worship different? Worship in the Minster is in some ways different from worship in a local parish church which serves a neighbourhood area. The Minster is not a parish church, but those who work here or worship here regularly may request the arrangement of services which mark important stages of life like baptisms, weddings and funerals. As the cathedral for the Archbishop of York, York Minster is the principal church in the northern province of the Church of England. Large numbers of people from around the region come to the services where deacons and priests are ordained to serve in the diocese of York. Bishops chosen to lead the church in other dioceses of the north come here to be consecrated by the Archbishop and their fellow bishops. Many clergy and thousands of people come together for worship on these great occasions.
Events celebrating the life of the church and nation take place regularly in the Minster because it is a large and prominent building which lends dignity and prestige to the importance of civic and religious occasions. The Legal service, Degree ceremonies and services for national charities are examples of these.
Judges arriving for the Legal Service October 2006
Produced by York Minster Centre for School Visits Š Dean & Chapter of York 2006
Worship in the Minster Factsheet 4
During
the
Christmas
season
many
organizations such as health workers and local schools, gather people from all over the region for their carol services.
Every
year on the afternoon of Christmas Eve the Minster choir sing for the traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Nearly 3000 people may attend this service and it is regarded by the Dean and Chapter as the Minster’s gift to the city. At midnight there is also a communion service normally attended by about 1750 people. In January each year we organize a huge service for young people which involves music, dance, lights and a shared meal, and is very modern in its form of worship. January XL Event York Minster 2006
On Good Friday Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists, Quakers and others join together in the York Council of Churches service of witness. Although the Minster is a Church of England cathedral, all denominations are welcome to come and use the building and are free to organize services to worship as they feel would be appropriate to the occasion. The shrine chapel of St William is often used for Roman Catholic masses, as the altar in that chapel was given by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Leeds.
Prayer and worship in the Minster can take place in ways other than formally organized services. Candles burning in stands around the building are a symbol of prayer for others and trust in God. Visitors to the Minster may light a candle as an expression of their feelings and prayers
The Minster has nearly one million visitors per year and at times can be very busy and noisy. With this in mind the Zouche Chapel is set aside as a place for quiet and private prayer. York Minster is an historic landmark on the skyline of the city, but in its community work of daily prayer and in the ministry of welcome to its many visitors, it may be seen to be a church for all people.
Produced by York Minster Centre for School Visits Š Dean & Chapter of York 2006