HRH The Prince of Wales records Easter Day reading

Since closing its doors due to coronavirus, the Abbey has launched Abbeycast, a new series of podcasts for worshippers across the world. Each podcast has a reading, short address, an anthem, prayers and a blessing. HRH The Prince of Wales will read John 20: 1-18. The Prince’s contribution was recorded at Birkhall, his home in Scotland, earlier this week. Three podcasts have already been released for the Annunciation, Passion Sunday and Palm Sunday with forthcoming podcasts for Maundy Thursday (today), Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Day.

The audio recording by HRH The Prince of Wales will also be included in a Eucharist service for Easter Day released by Canterbury Cathedral.

The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle said:

Whilst the Abbey is closed, in the precincts, the life of prayer for the community of priests and lay people who live here continues. In Holy Week, we enter more and more deeply into God’s radical commitment to our shared humanity in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We reflect each day on suffering, on death and on our hope. We pray for those around us for whom those things are a very vivid reality in this national crisis. We are immensely encouraged that His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales joins us as we greet the Risen Christ who shines as light in this darkness.

The podcasts were recorded by the Abbey’s clergy and residents who all observed social distancing with the files edited off-site by Abbey staff. Music is sung by the Abbey Choir, conducted by James O’Donnell, Organist and Master of the Choristers, supplied by Hyperion Records. The podcasts are available on the Abbey website, Apple Podcasts and through many other podcast providers.

The Easter Day podcast will be published at 9.00am on Sunday 12th April.

Listen to Abbeycast