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The church: The Cathedral and Metropolitan Church of Christ, Canterbury
Denomination: Church of England.
The building: Medieval monastic abbey church with separate nave and quire, and many venerable tombs and memorials.
The neighbourhood: The cathedral close is a gated community in the center of the ancient city.
The cast: We weren't told. According to the printed order of service the Archbishop was to have led to the procession, but he was not present, and the word spread informally was that he was ill.
Evensong and Procession to the Martyrdom for the Feast of St Thomas Becket of Canterbury.
How full was the building?
The quire and transepts were full – several hundred people.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
Stewards gave us an order of service and showed us to seats in the choir. Very dignified and welcoming.
Was your pew comfortable?
Yes – in the quire with lots of room for the service list, psalter, Prayer Book and hymnal, and a spacious kneeling cushion.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
Very quiet and devotional.
What were the exact opening words of the service?
The opening sentences were sung. The first spoken word was at the first lesson.
What books did the congregation use during the service?
The service, psalm, anthem texts, and hymns were all contained in the printed order of service.
What musical instruments were played?
Organ, along with the fine visiting choir from Beckenham Parish Church.
Did anything distract you?
No.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
Typical, dignified, Prayer Book Evensong.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
There was no sermon.
Which part of the service was like being in heaven?
The magnificent architecture and stained glass, and having plenty of time before the service to reflect on all that has happened in that holy place, especially the martyrdom of St Thomas, which the service commemorated.
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
Nothing.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
There were stewards for directions and questions, but most folk seemed to be purposeful in their leaving. Following Evensong, the choir and clergy processed to the Chapel of the Martyrdom where an anthem and prayers were offered. The congregation, holding lighted candles, was invited to stop at the site, leave their candles, and pray – so there was a steady stream of pilgrims following this pattern after the service proper had ended.
How would you describe the after-service coffee?
Nothing was offered.
How would you feel about making this church your regular (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
0. Not really applicable, but if I lived in the city, I would be a regular visitor.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian?
Absolutely. I felt like I was part of a long line of pilgrims, past and future, united in this simple yet profound action.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time?
The smell of the incense through the quire as the procession started toward the martyr's shrine.
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