Westminster Abbey’s annual celebration known as Edwardtide attracts and brings together pilgrims from around the world every year in the month of October to celebrate St Edward the Confessor, who was crowned King of England and ruled from 1042 until he passed away on the 5th January 1066.
St Edward was an extremely religious, generous, loyal and peaceful man who was dedicated to his religion and his subjects. It is believed that he had the power to heal the sick by placing his hands on them. This became a royal tradition for several hundred years until Queen Anne came to the throne in 1702.
Embed from Getty ImagesPilgrims who flock to Westminster Abbey each year still believe that they can be healed by St Edward by praying in his presence and kneeling at the foot of his shrine, where his body still lies. This is the only shrine in England to still hold the body of a saint.
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 virus restrictions, Westminster Abbey has been forced to make changes to the Edwardtide planned celebrations this year. Although Westminster Abbey will still be celebrating this important event, there have been some changes to the programme.
The forthcoming Edwardtide Westminster Abbey services are as follows:
Tuesday 13th October 2020 – The Translation of St Edward the Confessor, 1163, 1269
5.00pm – Sung Eucharist
Friday 16th October 2020
5.00pm – Evensong
Saturday 17th October 2020 – National Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor
11.30am – Festival Eucharist – Preacher: The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster
Tickets are required for this service – Book tickets
3.00pm – First Evensong of the Dedication of Westminster Abbey
Tickets are required for this service – Book tickets
Sunday 18th October 2020 – Dedication of Westminster Abbey, 1269
11.15am – Sung Eucharist on the Dedication of Westminster Abbey
3.00pm – Evensong celebrating the Feast of the Dedication of Westminster Abbey in the presence of The Lord Mayor of Westminster and the Mayors of the London Boroughs – Preacher: The Very Reverend Dr David Ison, Dean of St Paul’s.
A statement released by Westminster Abbey states: “Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are unable to offer the usual range of activities, but there will be an opportunity, between the Sung Eucharist and Evensong, to visit the Shrine and to add our prayers to those that have been offered down the centuries. In 2021 we hope to offer the full programme once again.”
Westminster Abbey hopes to welcome everyone wishing to attend this special celebration.
