Choral Evensong in Remembrance of Actors, Artists

Musicians and Entertainment Professionals

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral has announced details of a Memorial Service to remember the respective contributions of all those from the various branches of the Arts who have died.

Through Scripture readings, prayers, the address and the singing of the choir, an opportunity for a collective remembrance of those who have died from within the arts community will be created.

It goes without saying that an open, warm and inclusive welcome is extended to all from every sector of the Arts who would wish to remember those from their own particular sector who have departed this life.

The service will take place in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday, 18 November at 15.15.

Speaking ahead of this special service, the Dean of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, the Very Revd Dr William Morton said, “I am very pleased that we can gather to commemorate the departed members of the Artistic Community. Our religious expression has always been enriched by the contribution of Artists from many disciplines, so it is entirely appropriate to gather in this ancient place of prayer in order to celebrate their lives and the ways in which they have inspired us.”

Choral Evensong is one of the oldest service’s tracing its roots in the mastic worship offered by the early Christians.  The form of Evensong, which will be used in this service, is a fusion of the two monastic offices of Vespers and Compline.

We welcome you to share with us in this worship, which has been offered in St Patrick’s Cathedral for over 800 years. A former Dean of the Cathedral, Dean Jonathan Swift, is still widely commemorated and celebrated for his own substantial written contributions in the sphere of literary satire. Whilst other figures from the Arts commemorated within St Patrick’s include, O’Carolan, Sanford, Douglas Hyde, etc.

Here, beauty in language and music can speak to us of God in a rich and diverse way. Within this hallowed space you may forget the ceaseless activity of daily life and be still. In Choral Evensong, words and music come together, each enriching the other, in order that our senses and our intellects, our hearts and our minds, may help us to draw closer to God who is above all, and through all, and in all.

As a gesture of inclusion, names of deceased members from the Arts will be displayed within the Cathedral.

Should you wish to have someone included in this list, please email ken.hartnett@gmail.com

About Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Built in honour of Ireland’s patron saint, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral stands adjacent to the famous well where tradition has it Saint Patrick baptised converts on his visit to Dublin.

The parish church of Saint Patrick on this site was granted collegiate status in 1191, and raised to cathedral status in 1224. The present building dates from 1220. The Cathedral is today the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland.