In the Middle Ages, there were great pageants in European cathedrals to celebrate the coming of the Kings, often accompanied by glorious procession, music and song.
At Chichester Cathedral, during a period of liturgical revival between the wars under Arthur Duncan-Jones as Dean (1929-55), the Epiphany Procession was introduced: a procession of the Three Kings and a tableau of the Nativity at the High Altar all intended to draw participants into the mystery of God’s revelation in the Christ-child.
Its format has remain largely unchanged, including the use of recorders. Initially, the voices of the choristers and congregation were accompanied by the recorders of the Dolmetsch Family, famous pioneers of early music, who had their factory in Haslemere. With participants from local churches, one generation after another in many cases, the people of Chichester with successive choirs and congregations have gladly continuing the tradition, until finally Covid was responsible for bringing it to a halt in 2020.
However, after a four- year break, the Epiphany Procession will return on Sunday 7th January at 6.00pm: costumes refreshed and revived, some new participants, but with the respectful desire to close the Christmas Season in this meaningful way.
All are welcome: children, families, young and old, friends and strangers, to join together in this simple service of carols and readings, retelling the journey of the Magi. The three Kings will move in procession through the Cathedral led by the star, and the shepherds summoned by the angels. Coming to rest at the Screen, where the Holy Family receive their visitors, the Kings present their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, whilst the choir and congregation sing, the first of the ‘tableau vivant’ is formed: a living picture recalling the biblical account for all to behold.
After more music, words of prayer and praise, at the close of the service, the entire congregation are invited to follow in the footsteps of the Procession: to stand quietly beside the second tableau, at the High Altar, before they go on their way, into the coming year.
Many have been deeply moved by the experience, speaking of their sense of wonder, all too easily lost in the commercialisation of Christmas. Many have come over the years to pause, to ponder the message of the angels, the coming of the shepherds, and the Kings. Many have been drawn to attend the service having not come to the Cathedral before, and who return from year to year.
A final comment from one such visitor :-
“Epiphany might thus have been honoured in the Cathedral’s earliest day: thus, we were honouring Christ, with generation upon generation of our forebears”.
Article written by Sue Hyland