The Prince of Wales has recorded a special reading which will be shared at Easter. Prince Charles will be part of a webcast to mark Easter Sunday.
The prince has recorded a reading of part of the Gospel of St John for Easter Sunday. It will be used in Abbeycast, a new series of podcasts from Westminster Abbey which has been sharing services and prayers since churches closed their doors because of the coronavirus pandemic. Public worship was stopped several weeks ago and now all Church of England buildings are also closed for private devotion, too.
Charles’ reading, recorded at Birkhall where is he isolating with the Duchess of Cornwall, will also be part of a Eucharist Service shared on Sunday by Canterbury Cathedral. Religious communities across the UK have been using podcasts and streaming to share worship since restrictions were put in place.
The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend David Hoyle, said ” Whilst the Abbey is closed, in the precincts, the life of prayer for the community of priests and lay people who live here continues…. we are immensely encouraged that His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales joins us as we greet the Risen Christ who shines as light in this darkness”.
The podcasts also include music and prayer with all elements recorded separately and with those involved observing social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus. They have been edited off site, again in strict conditions to ensure the safety of all involved.
The podcasts will be available via the Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral websites on Easter Sunday.
