Episodes

  • 5: Hymns as Poetry: Charles Wesley’s Rejoice, the Lord is King

    5: Hymns as Poetry: Charles Wesley’s Rejoice, the Lord is King
    Nov 24 2024
    Hear staff from Westminster Abbey as they reflect on the context and the meaning of popular Christian hymns and anthems that came from poetry.
    In this episode, The Reverend Amanda Bourne gives a potted history and a personal reflection about the celebratory hymn Rejoice, the Lord is King.
    Listen to the full track, and the rest of the album recorded by the Choir of Westminster Abbey.
    These episodes are part of the Voice and Verse season. Join us in October and November as we celebrate the power of words and stories penned by historic and emerging poets.
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    6 mins
  • 4: Hymns as Poetry: Henry Francis Lyte’s Abide with me

    4: Hymns as Poetry: Henry Francis Lyte’s Abide with me
    Nov 17 2024
    Hear staff from Westminster Abbey as they reflect on the context and the meaning of popular Christian hymns and anthems that came from poetry.
    In this episode, The Reverend Helena Bickley-Percival contextualises the hymn Abide with me – from its origins and Biblical inspiration to its miraculous powers for solders in the First World War.
    Listen to the full track, and the rest of the album recorded by the Choir of Westminster Abbey.
    These episodes are part of the Voice and Verse season. Join us in October and November as we celebrate the power of words and stories penned by historic and emerging poets.
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    7 mins
  • 3: Hymns as Poetry: Edmund Spenser’s Faire is the heaven

    3: Hymns as Poetry: Edmund Spenser’s Faire is the heaven
    Nov 10 2024
    Hear staff from Westminster Abbey as they reflect on the context and the meaning of popular Christian hymns and anthems that came from poetry.
    In this episode, sub-organist of Westminster Abbey Matthew Jorysz talks through how poetic lines about heaven and angels were turned into a double-choir anthem in Faire is the heaven.
    Listen to the full track, and the rest of the album recorded by the Choir of Westminster Abbey.
    These episodes are part of the Voice and Verse season. Join us in October and November as we celebrate the power of words and stories penned by historic and emerging poets.
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    5 mins
  • 2: Hymns as Poetry: John Milton’s Blest Pair of Sirens

    2: Hymns as Poetry: John Milton’s Blest Pair of Sirens
    Nov 3 2024
    Hear staff from Westminster Abbey as they reflect on the context and the meaning of popular Christian hymns and anthems that came from poetry.
    In this episode, Stuart O’Hara, a bass lay vicar in the Abbey Choir examines John Milton’s Blest Pair of Sirens and how careful composition is used to turn his words into a glorification of God.
    Listen to the full track, and the rest of the album recorded by the Choir of Westminster Abbey.
    These episodes are part of the Voice and Verse season. Join us in October and November as we celebrate the power of words and stories penned by historic and emerging poets.
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    6 mins
  • 1: Hymns as Poetry: William Blake’s Jerusalem

    1: Hymns as Poetry: William Blake’s Jerusalem
    Oct 26 2024
    Hear staff from Westminster Abbey as they reflect on the context and the meaning of popular Christian hymns and anthems that came from poetry.
    In this episode, The Reverend Mark Birch talks about William Blake and the context in which he was writing to produce the well-known verses of Jerusalem.
    Listen to the full track, and the rest of the album recorded by the Choir of Westminster Abbey.
    These episodes are part of the Voice and Verse season. Join us in October and November as we celebrate the power of words and stories penned by historic and emerging poets.
    Show more Show less
    7 mins
  • Sermon for Ascension Day 2024

    Sermon for Ascension Day 2024
    May 11 2024
    In his Ascension Day sermon, Acting Minor Canon Ralph Godsall talks about the significance and importance of the day and the different truths it offers. Ascension Day occurs forty days after Easter Day and it marks Christ’s Ascension into heaven. It is a celebration of the power and authority of the lordship of the risen Christ and the commissioning of his disciples to continue his work. The Ascension is closely connected with the theme of mission and anticipates the birth of the worldwide Church.
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    11 mins
  • Address by The Dean of Westminster | ANZAC Day 2024

    Address by The Dean of Westminster | ANZAC Day 2024
    Apr 26 2024
    The Dean speaks about those who died at Gallipoli and those who have died in conflict since whilst drawing upon ideas the Book of Revelation wants to offer us: We should be known not forgotten. We belong together not apart. The Dean also tells a personal story about his Grandfather, who was saved by his bible and a cigarette case during the First World War. ANZAC Day is the anniversary of the landings on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey by allied forces on 25th April 1915. What followed was one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. In Australia and New Zealand, ANZAC Day not only commemorates those first landings at Gallipoli, but also all Australians and New Zealanders who have given of themselves in the service of their countries and communities in the years since. Westminster Abbey has been closely associated with ANZAC Day commemorations from the very beginning. Services of Commemoration and Thanksgiving continue to be held regularly at the Abbey.
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    10 mins
  • Lent and Easter reflections 2024: Easter Day

    Lent and Easter reflections 2024: Easter Day
    Mar 31 2024
    On Easter Day, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle reminds us that Thomas needed proof of Jesus’ Resurrection, before reflecting upon what it means to be a Christian. Sign up to the newsletter to get reflections directly to your inbox: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/about-the-abbey/contact-us/sign-up-to-our-new-newsletter
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    4 mins