Grief is the Price we Pay for Love

“…  and the love we have borne for decades for this remarkable woman deepens our grief – a grief we share with the whole world.”

The Reverend Canon Michael Hampel, Acting Dean of Durham.

More tributes have been paid to Her Majesty The Queen as cathedrals announce their plans for special services and opening times for people to join them during this national period of mourning.

Details of the service at St Paul’s Cathedral can be found here.

York Minster has confirmed the arrangements for people to visit for prayer, reflection, to lay floral tributes and to sign the Books of Condolence.

The Acting Dean of York, The Revd Canon Michael Smith said:

“This week, York Minster will help the people of the city and the region to pay their respects, to say farewell and to give thanks for the life of an extraordinary human being.

“For more than 70 years, the late Queen Elizabeth II dedicated her long life to service on behalf of the citizens of her country, the Commonwealth and to the world. Her reassuring, calm and intelligent presence through seven momentous decades of history, turmoil and change is all that many of us have ever known.

“Today, we must come to terms with the enormity of her death, and as we mourn, to give thanks that the Christian faith which sustained her in life also gave her confidence that she remains held in God’s love now and for ever.

“There will be great sadness for the nation and for the Royal Family who are mourning the loss of a mother, grandmother and great-grand mother – a much loved family member. But there will also be memories, honour and gratitude for a remarkable life that was so well lived.”

Prayers will be said for the late Queen and for the Royal Family at all services and throughout the day. There will be hourly prayer at 2 and 3pm and at 5.30pm Choral Evensong with the Choir of York Minster and specially selected music and prayers. The Minster will close at 7.30pm.

This pattern of worship and prayer will follow throughout the official period of national mourning. All are welcome to the Minster to pray or reflect.

On Sunday 11th September, the Archbishop of York will preach and preside at the 11 am Eucharist where there will be appropriate hymns and prayers. The Archbishop will also sign the Book of Condolence.

Please check the York Minster website for details of more services and updates at www.yorkminster.org.

Details of the arrangements for the funeral of Her Majesty the Queen at Westminster Abbey can be found here.

St Albans Cathedral will remain open until midnight tonight with Compline at 11.30pm

The Cathedral will be open daily from 8am to 8pm with Compline at 7.30pm every evening throughout the national period of mourning.

On Sunday 11 September there will be a Requiem Mass at 11.15am in person and live streamed.

St Albans has books to sign in the cathedral and floral tributes are being placed on the south side of the nave outside.

Sheffield Cathedral will be open 08:30am to 6pm throughout the national period of mourning for anyone who wishes to write in a book of condolence, light a candle or lay flowers.

The Very Revd Abi Thompson, Dean of Sheffield said:

“Queen Elizabeth II has been a committed servant of the people, a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and she will be much missed.

“Here in Sheffield, we especially have very happy memories of her visit to the Cathedral in 2015 for the Royal Maundy Service where she honoured 89 men and 89 women in recognition of their service to the church and local community. This was the first time the Royal Maundy had been distributed in Sheffield and many people here remember the bright weather and joyful atmosphere that accompanied her visit.

“Our commemorations and reflections on the life of Her Majesty will feel much more sombre over the coming days, but the happy memories of the lives she touched in this region on that day, and the impact she has had on many lives throughout the world will live on for decades to come.”

Durham Cathedral is inviting those in the North East, across the UK and round the globe to join them in prayer and reflection, both in person or online.

From her first visit to the North East in 1954, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has made more than 20 Royal visits to the region.

People are welcome to come to the cathedral to reflect, sign a book of condolence, light a candle, offer a prayer, join a special services or simply just to be in the days to come.

There will be a special service of Evensong on Saturday 17 September at 3pm.. All are welcome to book a free ticket to attend the service, these tickets will be available from the cathedral’s website very soon.

The Reverend Canon Michael Hampel, Acting Dean of Durham, said:

“Durham Cathedral stands in mourning with the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth at this moment of profound grief at the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

“Grief is the price we pay for love and the love we have borne for decades for this remarkable woman deepens our grief – a grief we share with the whole world.

“The Queen has been a focus for unity for people of all sorts and conditions – not least through a selfless sense of duty which sprang directly from her Christian faith. She stood alongside us at times of rejoicing and at times of grief and we stand now with the Royal Family and with each other, in mourning, but with a sense of rejoicing that Queen Elizabeth rests now in the eternal arms of God Almighty.

“We look now to her legacy and we pray for The King and all the Royal Family and we pray for each other as we journey on in faith and hope and love after the example of Jesus Christ – Elizabeth’s pattern and guide – and our Lord.”

For more information on visiting Durham Cathedral and the special service during this period of mourning visit www.durhamcathedral.co.uk

Peterborough Cathedral’s Chapter and community pay tribute to Her Majesty’s ‘dedication and unparalleled service’

The Dean of Peterborough, the Very Revd Christopher Dalliston, said:

“The Chapter and community of Peterborough Cathedral share the deep sadness of the entire nation at the death of our longest reigning and deeply loved Queen.

Her Majesty’s extraordinary record of dedication and unparalleled service to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, founded on and sustained by her strong Christian faith, has been a source of inspiration and encouragement to millions of people, and a symbol of identity and continuity in times of rapid change.

We were so proud and delighted to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee just a few months ago; we now pray that she may rest in peace and rise in glory.”

At 5.30pm, both this evening (Friday 9th September) and tomorrow evening (Saturday 10th September), Her Majesty will be remembered in prayers at Choral Evensong, to which all are welcome.

Members of the public are invited to light candles or lay tributes in one of the Porticos of the Cathedral outside. Later, after the 5.30pm service of Choral Evensong, the Cathedral will remain open until 8.00pm for quiet reflection, lighting candles, private prayer and remembrance. A book of condolence will be available to sign.

The Cathedral will stay open until 8.00pm this weekend.

The schedule of services during this time of mourning is listed here.

Gloucester Cathedral and the Diocese of Gloucester were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

The Cathedral will remain open daily between 10.00am and 5.00pm (12noon – 5.00pm on Sundays) for those wishing to say prayers or light a candle or sign a book of condolence. Special prayers will also be said at services for the next two weeks. All are welcome to attend, please see our website for full details. Books of condolence are also available in the Cathedral and online (via the Cathedral website) for anyone wishing to write a personal message.

Those looking to give thanks to the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II are invited to lay floral tributes within Paradise – the reflective green space in Chichester Cathedral’s 600 year-old Cloisters. A silhouette of Her Majesty has been presented within the space as a focal point, alongside a prayer.

The Cathedral is open to visitors Monday – Sunday (9.00am – 7.00pm) for prayer and reflection. All are welcome to attend their schedule of services.

A Book of Condolence is available within the Cathedral, though a national Book of Condolence is available to sign online.

A special service of Choral Evensong with Thanksgiving for the Life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be held at 3.00pm on both Saturday 17th September and Sunday 18th September, led by The Bishop of Chichester, The Right Reverend Dr Martin Warner. The Sunday service will be attended by civic dignitaries from across the County.

Further details will follow on the Cathedral’s website.

Paying tribute to The Queen, The Dean of Chichester, the Very Revd Stephen Waine said:

“It is with a sense of deep sadness that we have learnt of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

During her long reign she has been a source of strength and stability for the nation, the Commonwealth and the world, sustained by her strong Christian faith and deep sense of vocation.

Many have paid tribute to The Queen’s careful attention to matters of State, her great wisdom accumulated through the many years of her reign, and her concern for the wellbeing and flourishing of communities and individuals.

As we absorb this news, we do so with thanksgiving to God for her self-giving devotion, her steadfast Christian faith and service.”

Portsmouth Cathedral will be opening for extended hours throughout the mourning period, daily from 8:00am–7:00pm.

Tributes have been flooding in since the announcement of her death yesterday with many people from around the Diocese of Portsmouth visiting the Cathedral to pay their respects.

The Dean of Portsmouth, The Very Revd Dr Anthony Cane said:

“At this sad time for our nation and the Commonwealth, we at Portsmouth Cathedral join the people of this diocese in expressing our affection and gratitude as we mourn the death of our Sovereign.

“Her Majesty the Queen has not only served this nation and the whole Commonwealth with great distinction throughout an outstandingly long reign, she has been a particular inspiration to people of faith through her personal commitment to God and the way this has shaped her life of service.”

Services at Portsmouth Cathedral will include prayers and reflections for Her Majesty The Queen including Choral Evensong today (Friday 9 September) at 5:45pm and next Sunday (18 September) a Commemoration and Thanksgiving for her life will take place in the Cathedral at 3:00pm.

Further information can be found here.

Birmingham Cathedral will be open 7am-9pm daily during the mourning period and there is an official area for laying flowers in cathedral square.

Leicester Cathedral will hold a special service at 6.30pm tomorrow (Saturday 10) at St Mary de Castro in Leicester as the cathedral is closed until next autumn for its renewal project.  It will have a service of reflection and remembrance and all are welcome.

Throughout the period of mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Ripon Cathedral is open for extended hours each day for the lighting of candles and prayer until the day of the funeral. People are invited to sign the book of condolence leaving their own messages. Flowers can be left in a dedicated area of the cathedral grounds near the main entrance. There is a series of significant services over this period, to which everyone is invited.

Friday 9th September 2022
Hourly prayers taking place on the hour
5.30pm – Special Choral Evensong including prayers for Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
8.15pm – Vigil Service of Commemoration
Cathedral open until 9pm

Saturday 10th September 2022
Hourly prayers taking place on the hour
5.30pm – Special Choral Evensong with prayers to mark the Proclamation of the King
Cathedral open until 9pm