This year’s Season of Remembrance at York Minster will help us to engage with the extraordinary power of love, the grief and pain of bereavement and the opportunity to honour and to pay our respects to those who have died in past conflicts.

The Revd Michael Smith, Canon Pastor at York Minster said:  “All of us carry in our hearts the memory of relatives, friends, colleagues and acquaintances who have died leaving us bereft. In addition to those who died as a direct result of Covid-19, others died without contact with loved ones and often without the funerals and memorial services they deserved, leaving many with unresolved grief.

“We are providing a safe place for people to grieve, to remember, to honour and to pray for all their loved ones who have died, whether they died years ago or in recent months. We hope that people will come for worship and services or simply just come to the Minster to sit, reflect, pray or to light a candle in memory of their loved ones.”

York Minster’s events and services for the Season of Remembrance are as follows:

Saturday 16 October – Friday 12 November
People We Love

A commission by York Mediale from creative collective KMA, ‘People We Love’, returns to York Minster for a second year.  The piece features five, floor mounted, high definition screens in the Nave that will each show video portraits of a York local, looking at a picture of someone they love.  After over a year of being kept at a distance from family and friends, it’s a poignant reminder of how precious love, and those loved, are.

Originally commissioned for the 2020 York Mediale festival, ‘People We Love’ was open for just three days before the national lockdown in November 2020. Refreshed for 2021 with new subjects, the emotive installation watches those involved as they reflect, remember and are reminded of a loved one.

Sunday 31 October – 4pm
Solemn Evensong for the Eve of All Saints

All Saints Day (1^st November), is the day when Christians remember all those Saints, known and unknown, who have gone before us in faith and inspired the church over many generations. In this uplifting service of Choral Evensong, we anticipate the festival of All Saints, when we give thanks for those who have been shining examples and lived out their love of Jesus Christ in word and deed. The Preacher is the Canon Precentor, Victoria Johnson with music by the Songmen and Choral Scholars of the Choir of York Minster.

Monday 1 November – 5.30pm
Solemn Eucharist for the Feast of All Saints Day

We celebrate all the Saints in light and join in with the worship of heaven in this jubilant service with music from the Songmen and Choral Scholars of the Choir of York Minster.

Tuesday 2 November – 9.30am – 4pm
Day to Remember Those Who Have Died

All Souls’ Day (2 November), is the day when Christians remember the departed. A space will be created inside York Minster for people to sit quietly, to reflect, to pray and to light a candle for their loved ones. Minster Chaplains will be available throughout the day alongside members of the St Leonard’s Hospice Bereavement Support team.  The St Leonard’s team will be on hand to talk and to provide bereavement support to anyone who needs it.  Entry is free for all (the Minster will be closed for sightseeing visits).

Tuesday 2 November – 5.30pm
Requiem Eucharist for All Souls’ Day

The annual Requiem Eucharist for All Souls’ Day, at which we remember loved ones who have died, will take place at 5.30pm. The Preacher will be the Canon Pastor, Michael Smith, with music by the Songmen and Choral Scholars of the Choir of York Minster.

Thursday 11 November – 11am
National Two Minutes’ Silence for Armistice Day

At just before 11am, York Minster will come to a standstill as prayers are said for all those who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of their country in the First and Second World Wars and in subsequent conflicts since.  Great Peter will toll eleven times at 11am followed by the National Two Minutes’ Silence.

Sunday 14 November – 10.30am
Annual Service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration for Remembrance Sunday

The Dean of York will preach at this annual service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration for Remembrance Sunday which will include music by the Choir of York Minster, hymns, readings, prayers and an Act of Remembrance at 11am in unison with the commemorations across the city, when Great Peter will toll eleven times followed by the Two Minute’s Silence. All are welcome.

Sunday 14 November – 4pm
Requiem Eucharist for Remembrance Sunday
To conclude the commemorations on Remembrance Sunday, the Choir of York Minster perform Faure’s Requiem as part of a moving and contemplative service of Holy Communion.