Service Information at Rochester Cathedral
Daily services take place at Rochester Cathedral everyday of the year. Find out more about the different types of service we hold below.
Holy Communion
Holy Communion (also known as the Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper, or the Mass) is celebrated daily in the Cathedral. In this service:
we gather as the church, the body of Christ
we listen to God’s word
we give thanks over bread and wine for all that Jesus has done and continues to do for us and remember the meal Jesus shared with his disciples on the night before he died
we are sent out to serve God’s world
The Cathedral Eucharist
The Cathedral Eucharist is a sung celebration of Holy Communion with beautiful music and the richness of the liturgy, as we gather to celebrate all that Jesus has done and continues to do for us. There are hymns and songs, a choir, usually a sermon, and the service lasts about an hour and a quarter.
There is a Cathedral Eucharist every Sunday (and on Christmas Day).
Morning Prayer
Morning Prayer is a service of prayer and praise to begin the day.
A simple, said service of Morning Prayer, which lasts approximately 15 minutes, takes place at 07:45 Monday to Friday and at 08:45 on Saturdays, Bank Holidays and certain other days during the year.
Choral Evensong
As the day begins with Morning Prayer, so the day ends with an evening service of prayer and praise, using the traditional language of the Book of Common Prayer. This is normally sung by the Cathedral Choir (lasting about 40 minutes).
Choral Evensong outside of choir terms is sung by a visiting choir or replaced by said Evening Prayer – please check the current Music List (above) for details.
Compline
The ancient office of Compline derives its name from a Latin word meaning ‘completion’ (completorium). It is above all a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day.
Key Services through the year
Epiphany Service
6th January
Commemorating the visit of the Kings to see Jesus. The 12th day after Christmas.
Plough Sunday
Usually January
Our annual Blessing of the Plough service where we celebrate Kent’s farming traditions. Originating in Victorian times but rooted in an ancient custom after the twelve days of Christmas, this observance involved bringing the communal plough to the church for divine blessings.
Candlemas
2nd February
Commemorating the presentation of Jesus at the Temple by Joseph and Mary. Traditionally, the end of the Christmas season.
Ash Wednesday
Six weeks before Easter
The beginning of Lent. Services with the imposition of ashes will take place throughout the day.
Mothering Sunday
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Traditionally, this is an all-age Eucharist.
Holy Week and Easter Services
In Holy Week walk with us on the way of the Cross from Palm Sunday ‘Hosanna’ to Good Friday ‘Crucify’, and beyond to the glorious Easter dawn of resurrection light.
Details of our Holy Week services will be published here
Ascension Day
Forty days after Easter
A commemoration of the Ascension of Jesus to Heaven.
Harvest Service
Usually October
A service to give thanks to God for the harvest and his creation.
All Souls Eucharist
1st November
A Book of Remembrance for those to be remembered on All Souls’ Day will be in the Lady Chapel in the weeks before the service.
Remembrance Day
Sunday closest to the 11th November
Our Remembrance Day service is ticketed with only a very small number of seats allocated to members of the public.
Advent and Christmas Services
Join us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Our Advent services start with our Advent Procession on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day.
Details of our Advent and Christmas services will be published here
