Each year thousands of Londoners flock to St Paul’s Cathedral for the Christmas services. They are treated to the joys of the choir every year, even though there is a constant threat from coronavirus.
Amazing images of young choristers at an historic London church today show them preparing for Christmas.
They are dressed in black and white robes as well as their unique ruffs. The boys hold candles high and wear medals signifying financial support to the cathedral.
This week’s Christmas celebrations at the cathedral begin with Christmas carols and then there is a Midnight Mass Friday on Friday. There are further services on Christmas Day Boxing Day, Christmas Day, and Christmas Day 27.
The return to singing will be celebrated at this year’s service, following last year’s hymn-less Christmas season.
A ban on singing was put in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Last Christmas, churches were unable to allow more than a few people to participate in services.
St Paul’s began livestreaming their Christmas services in 2020.
Although there is less restriction this year than last, you will still need to use masks for all services this week. London and the rest are dealing with high numbers of Omicron cases.
Although there are many services offered this week, leaders of the church will worry about potential low visitors. Another picture showed London’s West End abandoned as Britons took themselves into pre-Christmas lockdown.
Ipsos MORI conducted a survey and found that most Britons now take matters into their own hands in order to lower their risk of contracting the virus. 58% of respondents said they had avoided public transport, while 58% stated that they plan to.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak today unveiled a £1billion bailout for businesses stricken by a wave of cancellations following the emergence of the Omicron strain.
The industry was pleased with the decision, even though Boris Johnson last night declared that there would be no further restrictions to existing Plan B measures.
Experts warn that the NHS could be overwhelmed by mutant coronavirus and the refusal to move further is a sign of massive resistance.
Images taken at St Paul’s Cathedral central London of young choristers getting ready for their packed Christmas program show stunning results
The boys, dressed in black and white robes with their distinct ruffs are seen raising candles and holding medals that show their progression as choristers.
This week’s Christmas program at the cathedral begins with Christmas carols and Friday night Mass, followed by Friday Midnight Mass and additional services on Christmas Day.
This week, Carol singing fans across the nation welcomed the return of the tradition following restrictions on outdoor gatherings as well as singing at places of worship during much of the previous year.
In March 2013, public worship was stopped when Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, imposed the first ever nationwide lockdown.
Restrictions on singing and chanting remained when the churches were reopened in July 2020.
It was eventually lifted in July. Visitors and choirs will now be able to sing together for the first time since 2002.
St Paul’s choir will be singing classic Christmas hymns this year including Hark! The Herald Angels sing, Once in Royal David’s City, and Oh Come All Ye Faithful.
MailOnline spoke with a spokesperson for St Paul’s today, stating that they intend to continue following the Church of England Guidelines on COVID-19 and follow government guidelines.
While there is less restriction this year than last, all visitors must wear masks to the services this week, unless they are exempt. This is because London and other parts of the country struggle with the rising case number of Omicron variants.
After restrictions that were placed on singing at places of worship and outdoor gatherings for much last year, many Carol singers welcomed the opportunity to reclaim the tradition. Above: Today’s Carol singing group rehearses at St Paul’s
“As such, all masks must be worn inside St. Paul’s except those who have a valid exception.”
It was revealed that St Paul’s future is in jeopardy after figures showing how income had fallen by 90% due to the coronavirus epidemic showed it.
Funds were diverted from key renovation projects such as the replacement of part of the original 7,400sqm lead roof.
The Very Rev. Dr David Ison, Dean of St Paul’s warned of the need for ‘big decisions’ due to financial pressures.
MailOnline was informed today by a spokesperson from St Paul’s: “We intend to celebrate Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day as planned. We will continue to follow the Church of England and Government guidelines on COVID-19. “As such, all masks must be worn inside St Paul’s except those who have a valid exemption.”
The Choristers are preparing to perform at St Paul’s Cathedral, London for the Christmas service on Tuesday. This year, the choir of St Paul’s will sing classic Christmas songs including Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Once in Royal David’s City.
It was revealed that St Paul’s future is in jeopardy after figures showing how income had fallen by 90% due to the coronavirus epidemic showed that it would be under threat.
On May 1, the Daily Mail launched a campaign to raise funds for a £2.3million memorial at the cathedral to honour every victim of Covid-19. Above: The Choristers perform in St Paul’s Today
The income generated from ticket sales is almost all that the cathedral earns.
The annual cost of keeping the building and services afloat is estimated to be around £8million a year.
St Paul’s already had a 2020 restructuring that saw about a quarter the staff go. Others were also furloughed.
For more than 1000 years, London has had a church dedicated to St Paul. This cathedral was built by Sir Christopher Wren during the Great Fire of London.
On May 1, the Daily Mail launched a campaign to raise funds for a £2.3million memorial at the cathedral to honour every victim of Covid-19.
Mail readers contributed to surpassing the target just four weeks after Remember Me was launched. The amount raised now stands at just over £2,700,000.