The heart of Morning Prayer is the saying of the psalms and listening to two readings from scripture. Here, at the beginning of the day, we begin by relating our lives to God and holding the needs of others in our prayers. Morning Prayer is followed immediately by a said service of Holy Communion.

Whether said or sung, the Eucharist is the central act of Christian worship and reveals the heart of the Christian faith. On the night before he died, Jesus of Nazareth met with his disciples in an upper room in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish Passover.

At this meal he took bread, broke it and said 'This is my Body'. He took a cup of wine and said 'This is my blood - the blood of a new covenant of forgiveness'. He shared the bread and the wine with his disciples, and told them 'do this in remembrance of me'.

Whenever his followers gather to do as he said we are caught up again in the events of the last week of his earthly life and he lives amongst us as we receive his gifts.

The word Eucharist means thanksgiving. It is an act of celebration in which the very life of God is given to us in bread broken and wine outpoured. And receiving this life week by week, ordinary frail and fragile beings are strengthened as members of the Body of Christ, a community called to serve God in the world.

On Sundays and Major Feast days, the Eucharist is sung by one of the Cathedral Choirs using settings from the sixteenth century polyphony to modern works by living composers. At all Communion Services everyone who has been baptised is welcome to receive Holy Communion; otherwise a personal blessing may be received. The Ministry of Laying on of Hands with Prayer for Healing is offered as part of the Sunday Sung Eucharist, and occasionally there may be a Baptism.

The Eucharist is celebrated every morning at 8.15am (8am Sundays) and every Thursday and on Saints Days at 12.10pm.

This Service, with its resonant and beautiful words, typifies the English Cathedral tradition of choral worship. Most of the singing is done by the Choir, the congregation participating through a prayerful listening. The Service consists of psalms, readings from the bible, an anthem, and prayers for the world and the church and for those in need.

When the Cathedral Choirs are on holiday Evensong may be sung by a Visiting Choir, or else it is replaced by a said service of Evening Prayer.

Whether said or sung, the Eucharist is the central act of Christian worship and reveals the heart of the Christian faith. On the night before he died, Jesus of Nazareth met with his disciples in an upper room in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish Passover.

At this meal he took bread, broke it and said 'This is my Body'. He took a cup of wine and said 'This is my blood - the blood of a new covenant of forgiveness'. He shared the bread and the wine with his disciples, and told them 'do this in remembrance of me'.

Whenever his followers gather to do as he said we are caught up again in the events of the last week of his earthly life and he lives amongst us as we receive his gifts.

The word Eucharist means thanksgiving. It is an act of celebration in which the very life of God is given to us in bread broken and wine outpoured. And receiving this life week by week, ordinary frail and fragile beings are strengthened as members of the Body of Christ, a community called to serve God in the world.

On Sundays and Major Feast days, the Eucharist is sung by one of the Cathedral Choirs using settings from the sixteenth century polyphony to modern works by living composers. At all Communion Services everyone who has been baptised is welcome to receive Holy Communion; otherwise a personal blessing may be received. The Ministry of Laying on of Hands with Prayer for Healing is offered as part of the Sunday Sung Eucharist, and occasionally there may be a Baptism.

Choral Evensong

Come and enjoy the biggest, most spectacular, Christmas tree in Ely as we count down to the switching on of the lights.

This popular family event celebrates the festive season in song and prayer, concluding with the blessing of the magnificent tree!

Sung by the Boy Choristers and the Ely Imps.

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Across the world, Christian communities of all denominations worship in the style of the Taizé Community in France. Founded by Brother Roger in 1940, this monastic community attracts thousands of pilgrims a year to live and worship, the majority of them young people. Using simple chants, prayers and times of silence, worshippers are encouraged to grow ever deeper into a relationship with God.

The Advent Taizé service in the Cathedral, held in the Presbytery by candlelight, has established itself firmly in the preparations for Christmas.

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Compline is the last of the seven daily services which are sung in monasteries and convents. It brings us to the end of the day, and it is also a gentle preparation for the end of life.

Compline in the Cathedral has changed very little since the monks of Ely sang it before the Reformation. It is a meditative, candlelit space for music, prayer and reflection, to quiet and calm the soul, to look back over the day that is gone, and to commend ourselves and those we love to the care of God as night comes.

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Christingle was established in 1747 as a symbol of Christ’s light and love and has since become a popular family celebratory and community event.

It is named after the Christingles that are lit during the service. They are made from an orange decorated with red ribbon, sweets and a candle.

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Join us outside the main doors of the Cathedral.

Wrap up warm for outdoor carol singing. Hot chocolate provided.

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Compline is the last of the seven daily services which are sung in monasteries and convents. It brings us to the end of the day, and it is also a gentle preparation for the end of life.

Compline in the Cathedral has changed very little since the monks of Ely sang it before the Reformation. It is a meditative, candlelit space for music, prayer and reflection, to quiet and calm the soul, to look back over the day that is gone, and to commend ourselves and those we love to the care of God as night comes.

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This processional service includes many opportunities for congregational singing as well as a colourful mix of carols from the Cathedral Choir.

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The children of the Cathedral retell the story of Christmas in this wonderful tableau of shepherds, angels and wise men.

Sing carols and enjoy this family friendly celebration to mark the birth of Jesus. Dressing up optional!

Sung by the Ely Imps

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The children of the Cathedral retell the story of Christmas in this wonderful tableau of shepherds, angels and wise men.

Sing carols and enjoy this family friendly celebration to mark the birth of Jesus. Dressing up optional!

Sung by the Choristers.

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This processional service includes many opportunities for congregational singing as well as a colourful mix of carols from the Cathedral Choir.

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When peaceful silence lay over all, and the night in its swift course was half spent: down from the heavens, from the royal throne, leapt your all powerful Word.

The waiting and watching of Advent is brought to fulfilment in the deepest part of the night. Mary brings to birth the newborn infant who is also the redeemer of all creation.

The midnight service hallows the turning of the night to Christmas, and honours Jesus’ birth in word and sacrament, carols and song. The service is sung by the Girl Choristers and Lower Voices.

The Bishop of Huntingdon will preside and preach.
British Sign Language interpreted.

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Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning!

The people of God rejoice together, singing carols, sharing in communion, hearing and receiving the Word. The service is sung by the Girl and Boy Choristers and Lower Voices.

The Dean will preside and preach.

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We conclude our Christmas Day celebrations with a glorious Evensong sung by the Boy Choristers and Lower Voices, featuring Philip Moore’s In dulci jubilo.

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Be part of the choir for an afternoon of favourite carols in this festive free-for-all!

This annual service is led by local singers and any other singers who happen to be visiting Ely and who would like to join them.

Assemble under the Octagon at 2.15pm to rehearse. The carol choices are selected from books 1 and 2 of Carols for Choirs. Some copies will be available to borrow on the day, but we have to rely on most people bringing their own books.

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