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 conflicts whether recent or historic.

The Very Revd Dominic Barrington, Dean of York, said: “The pain of separation and loss, and the horrors of warfare, are no strangers to people across the globe, including in the city and Diocese of York. The grief we experience at the death of friends or loved ones is very real, and can last a very long time. It is the call of the Church to help set this against the message of Christian hope contained in the Gospel.

“We are privileged to offer services of remembrance, as well as the opportunity simply to come to the cathedral to pray, light a candle or just sit quietly as we give thanks for those whom we have loved and lost.”

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

 Solemn Eucharist for the Feast of All Saints’ Day

Wednesday 1 November – 5.30pm

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

All Souls’ Day

Thursday 2 November

The Minster will be closed for sightseeing but open with free entry to welcome those who have been recently bereaved or people who simply want to remember loved ones who died many years ago.

Requiem Eucharist for All Souls’ Day – 5.30pm

The annual Requiem Eucharist for All Souls’ Day, at which we remember loved ones who have died.

Armistice Day

Saturday 11 November – National Two Minutes’ Silence

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.  Great Peter will toll eleven times at 11am followed by the National Two Minutes’ Silence.

 Service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration for Remembrance

Sunday 12 November – 10.30am

An 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 Minutes’ Silence.

Requiem Eucharist for Remembrance Sunday – 4pm  

To conclude the commemorations on Remembrance Sunday, the Choir of York Minster sing a moving and contemplative service of Holy Communion, with music by Fauré.