Westminster Abbey Podcasts

The Venerable Sheila Watson, Preacher of Lincoln's Inn, gave the sermon.

Listen to the Sermon delivered by The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Sarah Mullally DBE, Bishop of London during the Florence Nightingale Service 2021. The Reverend pays thanks to nurses and healthcare workers on the front line during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Sermon was delivered on what would have been Florence Nightingale's 101st birthday.

Listen to the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle's sermon given during the ANZAC Day service on Sunday 25th April 2021.

This 32-minute service includes prayers, a reading, an address, music and a blessing, recorded this week in the Abbey’s magnificent Chapter House. Introduced by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor Address by the Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian Reader: Sarah Clarke OBE, Lady Usher of the Black Rod  Ave Maris Stella from Le tombeau de Titelouze – Marcel Dupré Introduction: The Reverend Mark Birch  Reading: Luke 1: 26-38 Sarah Clarke Prière à Notre Dame from Suite Gothique – Léon Boëllmann Address: Canon Hawkey  Anthem: Mater Christi sanctissima – John Taverner Prayers and Blessing: The Reverend Mark Birch  Fuga sopra il Magnificat BWV 733 – JS Bach Music: The anthem is performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records). Organ music, which was specially recorded earlier this week, is played by Charles Maxtone-Smith, Organ Scholar. This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.

This 28-minute service includes prayers, a reading, an address, music and a blessing, recorded this week in the Florence Nightingale Chapel in Westminster Abbey. Introduced by the Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian Address by the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster Reader: Janet Hoyle  Miserere – William Byrd  Introduction: Canon Hawkey  Reading: Isaiah 58: 1-12  Janet Hoyle Erbarm’ dich mein, O herre Gott BWV 721 – JS Bach Address: The Dean Anthem: Kyrie eleison (from Missa Brevis) – William Walton Prayers and Blessing: Canon Hawkey  Aus tiefer Not, schrei ich zu dir BWV 687 – JS Bach   Music: The anthem is performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records). Organ music, which was specially recorded earlier this week, is played by Matthew Jorysz, Assistant Organist. This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.    

This 19 minute service includes prayers, a reading, an address, music and a blessing, recorded this week in the Abbey’s magnificent Lady Chapel. Introduced by the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster Address by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor  Reader: Janet Hoyle    Introduction: The Dean Reading: Luke 2: 22-40  Janet Hoyle Address: The Reverend Mark Birch  Anthem: Nunc Dimittis, Stanford in A  Prayers and Blessing: The Dean   Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records).  This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.   

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on the Feast of the Epiphany of The Lord. This 14 minute service includes a reading, an address and music, recorded this week at the crib. Introduced by the Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian Reader: The Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor  Address by Canon Hawkey Introduction: Canon Hawkey Epiphany Gospel: Matthew 2: 1-12 The Reverend Mark Birch Address: Canon Hawkey Anthem: Jonathan Dove, The Three Kings Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records).    This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.

This 19 minute service includes prayers, a reading, an address, music and a blessing, recorded this week at the two Jesse Trees, made by the sculptor Benno Elkan, and representing scenes from the Old and New Testaments.   Introduced by the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster   Address by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor    Reader: Carol Hawkey   Introduction: The Dean Reading: Mark 13: 24-37 Carol Hawkey Address: The Reverend Mark Birch  Anthem: Francisco Guerrero Canite Tuba Prayers and Blessing: The Dean Hymn: Lo, He comes with clouds descending    Music: Recorded earlier this week in the Abbey by the Choir of Westminster Abbey and conducted by James O’Donnell.    This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.   

A podcast from Westminster Abbey for the Feast of Christ the King. This 16 minute service includes an introit, prayers, a reading, an address, music and a blessing, recorded this week on the Abbey's magnificent Cosmati pavement in front of the High Altar.   Introduced by the Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian   Address by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor    Reader: David Fugurally, Department for Education, Fellow of Westminster Abbey Institute    Introit: Sergei Rachmaninoff To thee, O Lord Introduction: Canon Hawkey Reading: Matthew 25: 31–46 David Fugurally Address: The Reverend Mark Birch  Anthem: Benjamin Britten Hymn of St Columba Prayers and Blessing: Canon Hawkey    Music: Recorded earlier this week in the Abbey by the Choir of Westminster Abbey and conducted by James O’Donnell.    This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing. 

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on ‘The Parable of the Talents’. This 15 minute service includes prayers, a reading, an address, music and a blessing, recorded this week in the Abbey's magnificent Nave.   Introduced by the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster   Address by the Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian   Reader: The Reverend Tricia Hillas, Chaplain to the Speaker, Priest Vicar of Westminster Abbey    Introduction: The Dean Reading: Matthew 25: 14–30 The Reverend Tricia Hillas Address: Canon Hawkey Anthem: John Ireland Ex ore innocentium Prayers and Blessing: The Dean   Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records).    This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.

Cerys Matthews reads from a letter written by a widow after attending the burial of the Unknown Warrior at the Centenary of the Burial of the Unknown Warrior on Wednesday 11th November 2020.

Simon Armitage CBE, Poet Laureate, reads his own composition, ‘The Bed’ at the Centenary of the Burial of the Unknown Warrior on Wednesday 11th November 2020.

The Right Honourable Boris Johnson MP, Prime Minister, reads an extract from the diary of a blind veteran who attended the burial of the Unknown Warrior. 

The Prince of Wales read John 15: 12–17 at the Centenary of the Burial of the Unknown Warrior on Wednesday 11th November 2020.

The Sermon given by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the Centenary of the Burial of the Unknown Warrior on Wednesday 11th November 2020.

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on Remembrance Sunday.   This 17-minute service includes prayers, a reading, an address, music and a blessing, recorded this week at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. Led by the Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian   Address by the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster  Reader: Canon Hawkey   Introduction: Canon Hawkey Reading: John 15: 9-13 Canon Hawkey Address: The Dean  Anthem: Herbert Howells Take him, earth, for cherishing Prayers and Blessing: Canon Hawkey   Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records).    This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on the feast of All Souls’ Day. This twenty six minute service includes prayers, a reading, a sermon, music and a blessing, recorded this week and includes extracts from a Sung Eucharist held in the Abbey to mark All Souls' Day on Monday.   Introduced by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor   Reader: Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex   Sermon by the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster    Introduction: The Reverend Mark Birch  Reading: Romans 5: 5-1 The Countess of Wessex  Sermon: The Dean  Music: The Introit and Kyrie from the Durufle Requiem Prayers: The Revd Dr Sarah Archer, Ambassador for Loss and HOPE - equipping the Church to help the bereaved. Their main resource is The Bereavement Journey. Blessing: The Reverend Mark Birch Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records).    This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on the Feast of the Translation of St Edward. This 16 minute service includes prayers, a reading, an address, music and a blessing, recorded this week in the Abbey's magnificent shrine of St Edward the Confessor.   Introduced by the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster   Address by the Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian   Reader: Simrin Rahman, a student at Harris Westminster Sixth Form    Introduction: The Dean Reading: Matthew 20: 20-28 Simrin Rahman Address: Canon Hawkey  Anthem: Bruckner Os iusti meditabitur Prayers and Blessing: The Dean   Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records).    This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on the feast of St Michael and All Angels.  This 16 minute service includes prayers, a reading, an address, music and a blessing, recorded this week in the Abbey's magnificent 16th-century Lady Chapel. Introduced by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor   Address by the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster   Reader: Bryony Strickland    Introduction: The Reverend Mark Birch  Reading: John 1: 47–end: Bryony Strickland Address: The Dean  Anthem: Tippett Plebs angelica Prayers and Blessing: The Reverend Mark Birch   Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records).    This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.

A podcast to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, and the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.   On VJ Day the Abbey joined national celebrations by holding services on 15th and 16th August 1945 which were attended by great numbers of people.   A service of prayers, reading, address, music and blessing recorded this week in the Chapel of the Holy Name.   Introduced by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle   Address by the Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian   Reader: The Right Reverend Augustine Naoaki Kobayashi, Bishop of Kobe, Anglican Church in Japan.   Introduction: The Dean  Reading: Luke 1: 46-55 (Bishop Kobayashi) Address: Canon Hawkey Anthem: Gerald Finzi Magnificat Prayers: Captain Kathryn Leworthy Blessing: The Dean   Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records).