Christmas Day Eucharist live on BBC One!

  • News
  • 14 December 2023
Christmas Day Eucharist live on BBC One!

Manchester Cathedral’s Christmas Morning Eucharist will be broadcast live on BBC One and iPlayer.

The joyful service of hope, peace and goodwill, will air live from Manchester Cathedral at 10:15am on Christmas morning led by Dean of Manchester, the Very Revd Rogers Govender. The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd Prof David Walker, will preach.

The wonder of the Nativity, and the Journey of Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds will be captured in a liturgy of music and readings.

Manchester Cathedral Choir, directed by the Organist & Master of the Choristers, Christopher Stokes, will lead the congregation in some of the nation’s favourite carols, including O Come, All Ye Faithful, Unto Us Is Born a Son and While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night.

Dean Rogers Govender said: “We are overjoyed to be at the heart of the nation’s worship on Christmas Day.

“Christmas is the season of peace and good will. At a time when we need these messages more than ever, we are honoured to be able to share them with the nation.”

Bishop David Walker said: “It’s a great privilege to have been chosen by the BBC to be at the centre of their Christmas broadcasting.

“It means a great deal to many who are unable to attend church in person on Christmas Day, to join a live act of worship, and to celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ alongside the people of our cathedral and city.”

TO JOIN US

Midnight Mass will take place as normal at the Cathedral on Christmas Eve at 11.30pm.

Due to the logistics of the Christmas Day broadcast, Morning Prayer will be said by the clergy on December 25 with no congregation in attendance.

All are warmly invited to attend the service which airs live at 10:15am on Monday 25 December. Doors will be open from 8.45am and congregation attending the service are asked to arrive early to be welcomed and pass through security ready to be seated by 9.30am.

This will allow a pre-broadcast briefing and notices to be given to the congregation, as well as providing an opportunity for everyone to sing through some selected verses of the carols beforehand.

Bag searches will be in operation for everyone’s safety. To avoid queues, we ask those attending to avoid bringing a bag if possible. Those that do need to bring a bag should note that only small bags A4 size and smaller will be allowed and no larger bags, luggage or rucksacks will be permitted.

Those who wish to tune in from home can do so on BBC One and iPlayer.