Dates and times

8pm on the five Thursdays of 23 February, 2, 9, (not 16), 23, 30 March

Location

St Olave’s Church is at the top of Fore Street, between the North St-South St-High St junction and the Bike Shed and Mint Methodist Church. The nearest car park is Mary Arches. Many buses stop at the High St stands nearby.

Details

The ancient close-of-the-day service of Compline, with plainchant and polyphony. Hosted by Margaret Aagesen Hughes (Soprano) and Clare Bryden (Alto). Featuring musicians Andrew Maries (Oboe), Sophie Brewer (Flute), Catherine Bradley (Cello), John Draisey (Keyboard). Performing "On the Holy Mountain", a new sequence of biblical settings composed for this series by Andrew Wilson.

Lent is the period of 40 days, excluding Sundays, which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is a season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter.

By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians draw a parallel with both Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days at the beginning of his ministry, and the Israelites’ journey of 40 years to the Promised Land as told in the book of Exodus.

Lent is often marked by fasting, both from food and festivities. Many Christians in the Church of England may also take up something for Lent, such as praying daily or giving more to charity. The underlying purpose is to draw closer to God.

Compline is the last service in the monastic daily cycle of prayer. Its English name comes from the Latin for completion, as it completes the working day. It is also known as Night Prayer, the prayer before sleep.

This short service of Compline will remain broadly similar week by week, with additional music that will change to accompany our journey together through Lent. There will be opportunities for reflection through the simplicity of the setting, the beauty of the music, and the periods of silence.

The service is free and unticketed, and there will be a retiring collection for church upkeep. It is recommended that you wrap up warm!