Westminster Abbey Podcasts

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).

A lecture given by Jenny McCarthy, a journalist and author who grew up in Northern Ireland and now lives in London. Part of Hope, Westminster Abbey Institute’s 2020 spring programme.

A lecture given by James Hawkey, Canon Theologian of Westminster Abbey. Dr Hawkey is a fellow of Clare College, Cambridge, and a visiting lecturer at King’s College London. Part of Hope, Westminster Abbey Institute’s 2020 spring programme.

A podcast on the fourth Sunday after Trinity marking the re-opening of the Abbey for public worship - the final episode in our series of Sunday worship podcasts produced during lockdown.   Worship podcasts will be produced for feast days and major anniversaries from now on. Please subscribe to be notified of releases.   A service of prayers, reading, address, music and blessing recorded this week in the nave of the Abbey.   Introduced by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor   Address by the Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian   Reader: Dr Mariama Ifode-Blease, Queen’s Almsman   Introduction: Canon Hawkey Reading:  Matthew 11: 16–19, 25–30 Dr Mariama Ifode-Blease Address: Canon Hawkey Anthem: Edward Elgar O Hearken thou 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.

Saint Peter is the Abbey’s patron saint, and on St Peter’s Day the Collegiate Body and wider Abbey community would usually be celebrating with a Festal Eucharist. This year we mark St Peter’s Day with a special podcast which includes a reading by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. This episode reflects on the Abbey’s dedication to St Peter, and on the inspiration St Peter offers us in the life of faith.   A 15-minute service of prayers, reading, address, music and blessing recorded this week in the Sacrarium in front of the statue of St Peter by the High Altar.   Introduced by The Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian   Address by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle   Reader: Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal   Introduction: Canon Hawkey Reading: Matthew 16: 13–19 HRH The Princess Royal Address: The Dean Anthem: Palestrina Tu es Petrus Prayers and Blessing: Canon Hawkey   Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permis

The Rule of St Benedict tells us to offer hospitality as if we were entertaining Christ. Recorded in the monastic ‘Cellarium’, which is now a café, this podcast considers themes of welcome and hospitality, as lockdown begins to ease, and places of hospitality begin to re-open. But what do we gain by being hospitable to one another? Perhaps, quite literally, everything. A 20-minute service of prayers, reading, address, music and blessing recorded this week. Introduced by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle   Address by The Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor Reader: Major General Christopher Ghika, General Officer Commanding London District and Major General Commanding the Household Division   Introduction: The Dean Reading: Matthew 10: 40-42 Major General Christopher Ghika Address: The Reverend Mark Birch Anthem: Sir William Harris Strengthen ye thy weak hands Prayers and Blessing: The Dean   Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (

CS Lewis’s writings have offered inspiring commentary on the Christian faith to people from across the world over many years. This week’s podcast draws inspiration from some of Lewis’s writings and reflections.   A 17-minute service of prayers, reading, address, music and blessing recorded this week in Poets’ Corner by the memorial to CS Lewis, Anglican scholar and spiritual writer, which was dedicated in 2013 on the 50th anniversary of his death.   Introduced by The Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian   Address by The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster   Reader: Dr Linda Yueh, Executive Chair, Royal Commonwealth Society   Introduction: Canon Hawkey Reading: Matthew 10: 24–39 - Dr Linda Yueh Address: The Dean Anthem: John Tavener The peace that surpasseth understanding 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 obse