A service of Choral EvensongEvensong The medieval English name for the office of Vespers (see Divine Office). Used in the 1549 Book of Common Prayer for the service which later prayer books call Evening Prayer at York MinsterYork Minster Popular name for the cathedral and metropolitan church of St Peter in York. Seat of the Archbishop of York, the cathedral was established in 627 by St Paulinus as a baptistery for King Edwin. The present building contains elements of the Norman cathedral of Archbishop Thomas of Bayeux, but dates largely from the 13th-15th centuries. on Friday 7 March also marked the start of the Lord’s Prayer Tour across the North of England. Led by ArchbishopArchbishop Bishop who also presides over a group of dioceses or provinces. of YorkYork 1. A Roman city and early centre of Christianity. 2. Diocese and province under the leadership of the Archbishop of York., Stephen Cottrell, the tour will visit cathedrals and churches, exploring the profound words of the Lord’s Prayer through teaching, reflection, and music.
At the heart of the Archbishop’s tour is a simple but powerful invitation: to pray the Lord’s Prayer by heart and align our lives with God’s will. This call is beautifully echoed in the prayer’s central plea: ‘Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heavenHeaven The dwelling-place of God and the angels and eventually all those who will live with God for eternity..’
Using the metaphor of music, Archbishop Stephen’s sermonSermon A talk which provides religious instruction or exhortation at the service encouraged people to think of God’s will as the single perfect note that resonates throughout the universe—a note to which our lives can be tuned. Through prayer, we learn to hear this note, bringing harmony to our hearts and aligning with God’s purpose for the world.
The service at York Minster also featured a moving musical performance of a new setting of the Lord’s Prayer, composed by Lucy Walker. Sung by the Choir of York Minster, this beautiful piece highlighted how the Lord’s Prayer continues to resonate with people today.
The tour and newly commissioned music are part of FaithFaith 1. Belief and trust in someone or something. 2. Acceptance of particular religious teachings. in the North which has been developed to encourage prayer, storytelling, and church planting, inspired by the Northern Saints such as Hild, Cuthbert, BedeBede, the Venerable (c.673-735) Anglo-Saxon historian and biblical scholar. Sent to study at the monastery of Wearmouth at seven; later transferred to Jarrow. Renowned in his lifetime for his learning, Bede wrote treatises on poetry, time and cosmography. Historical works include History of the Abbots, prose and verse versions of the Life of St Cuthbert and Ecclesiastical History of the English People., and Paulinus. The goal is to deepen connections with the ChristianChristian Name originally given to disciples of Jesus by outsiders and gradually adopted by the Early Church to designate all members of the church. faith and renew the Church’s missionMission 1. A group of people sent out to share religious faith. 2. The task of sharing faith. to share God’s love with all. Free resources are available for schools and churches to help explore this.
A Special Invitation
Looking ahead, on 10 October 2025, churches, schools, and individuals across the North of England will be invited to come together to say the Lord’s Prayer as one—a moment of unity and shared faith.
