Chichester Cathedral has re-released Carols from Chichester Cathedral – a 50 minute Carol Service filmed with the Cathedral Choir, under the direction of Organist and Master of the Choristers Charles Harrison and with organ accompaniment from Tim Ravalde.
Initially recorded in 2020, Carols from Chichester Cathedral encourages the people of Sussex and beyond to take part in the musical tradition of Advent and Christmas from the comfort of their own homes.
The service has subtitles and has been especially written and recorded for online congregations, telling the Christmas story with a selection of carols. Bible readings and poetry can also be found in the service, read by individuals representing local organisations and charities, including Stonepillow, Goodwood Farm, BBC Radio Sussex, Midwives from the Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Patron of the Cathedral's Festival of Flowers Hugh Bonneville.
The service has also been made available to care-homes, hospices, schools and parishes across the Diocese of Chichester.
The Carol Service forms part of Chichester Cathedral’s celebrations for Advent and Christmas, under the banner of ‘The lights shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it’ (John 1.5).
The period will see the return of The Chichester Nativity, a photographic art installation heralding the heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic in Chichester in the style of a renaissance tableau.