Advent Procession with Lessons and Carols (December 1, 2024) Artwork

Choral Services at the Cathedral of St. Philip

Listen to choral services, recorded live at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta, each Sunday at 4 p.m., September–May. Most services are Choral Evensong (sung Evening Prayer), which dates from the sixteenth century, yet has its roots in the far more ancient Daily Offices of Vespers and Compline. One of the jewels of our Anglican/Episcopal worship tradition, Evensong has given birth to one of the largest and richest bodies of sacred music outside of the Mass itself. It is, at its heart, a contemplative worship service, and much of the service is sung by the choir alone, employing sounds that span the known history of Christian music. At the formal close of Evensong, an intimate “liturgy of the table” is celebrated for those who wish to receive Communion. Occasionally a classically sung Choral Eucharist, or a diocesan confirmation, or a service of Lessons and Carols takes the place of Evensong.

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Choral Services at the Cathedral of St. Philip

Advent Procession with Lessons and Carols (December 1, 2024)

December 02, 2024 • cathedralATL

Prelude begins at 0:00. Service begins at 20:40.

This Advent Procession with Lessons and Carols is organized around the O Antiphons – beautiful plainchant texts which invoke the Messiah to return, sung since the 8th century at Vespers on the seven evenings leading up to Christmas. The choir gradually moves into the chancel, stopping at various stations around the Cathedral nave. Each of the biblical prophecies is expanded upon by the singing of carols, anthems, and hymns which anticipate the coming of Christ, culminating in a glorious setting of the Magnificat (The Song of Mary, Luke 1:46-55) and the singing of “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” the text of which is an English translation of the very O Antiphons that the choir has sung throughout the service.

The officiant is the Very Rev. Sam Candler. Choral repertoire includes:

The Great O Antiphons
Judith Weir (b. 1954), Drop down, ye heavens, from above
“Lo, he comes with clouds descending” Helmsley
Boris Ord (1897-1961), Adam lay ybounden
“Redeemer of the nations, come” Veni Redemptor gentium
Paul Manz (1919-2009), E’en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come
“Come, thou Redeemer of the earth” Puer nobis
Herbert Howells (1892-1983), A Spotless Rose
“Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming” Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
Claude Goudimel (c. 1520-1572), Comfort, comfort ye my people
“The great forerunner of the morn” The Truth from above
Melissa Dunphy (b. 1980), O Oriens
“The angel Gabriel from heaven came” Gabriel’s Message
Javier Busto (b. 1949), Ave Maria
Herbert Howells (1892-1983), Magnificat (Gloucester Cathedral)
Elizabeth Poston (1905-1987), Jesus Christ the apple tree
“O come, O come, Emmanuel” Veni, veni Emmanuel