| Where: | Formerly Newcastle upon Tyne, at the Castle Keep. |
| When: | Formerly Easter Sunday |
| Time: | Formerly 5.30 for 6am |
In an Easter custom very similar to Ascension Day traditions elsewhere, the choristers of St Nicholas’ Cathedral in Newcastle upon Tyne took to the roof of the Castle Keep to sing at dawn on Easter Sunday morning. As Easter is a moveable feast, this could occur during March or April. This was a very recent tradition- I had the feeling that it would be one that persisted as the setting is spectacular and seemed appropriate for the occasion but it looks as though I was mistaken. The service began inside the Keep, and after a candlelit Gathering and Vigil with hymns and readings, the congregation followed the choir up the steps to the roof, singing all the way. The officiant kindled the Easter Fire and lit the Easter Candle while the choir faced east to greet the rising sun; the Easter Gospel was proclaimed and after more singing, the sign of peace was given by all shaking hands and exchanging greetings. Breakfast followed back at the Cathedral.
Helpful Hints
In 2025 Easter Sunday will be on 20th April and while there are other services, the dawn vigil isn’t on the schedule (it last took place in 2023). In 2024 instead of the Rooftop service there was a vigil in the Cathedral (not the Keep) at 7pm on Easter Saturday. The Rooftop Service may return in future but this is yet to be confirmed – let me know please if you hear anything about it starting again.
The only way up to the roof of the Keep is by long flights of steps, so the service was only suitable for those who could make the climb -I have it on good authority that you could hear the singing quite clearly from ground level!
Click here for the Cathedral website: https://newcastlecathedral.org.uk/
Leave a Reply