Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols

The format of this service is based on an order drawn up by Edward Benson, later Archbishop of Canterbury but at that time Bishop of Truro, for use on Christmas Eve (24th December) 1880. Tradition says that he organized a 10 p.m. service in a wooden shed which then served as his cathedral in Truro and that the purpose of the service was to keep men out of the pubs.

The original liturgy has since been adapted and used by other churches all over the world. Numerous Christian denominations have adopted this service, or a variation of this service, as part of their Christmas celebrations. In Finland, this would be 'Kauneimmat joululaulut'.

The best-known version is broadcast annually from King's College, Cambridge. This service follows that same order which can also be found in Common Worship: Times and Seasons of the Church of England. The tradition of this Festival in Helsinki by the Anglican Church in Finland dates back, at least, to the 1960s.

The Minister is The Revd Tuomas Mäkipää
The Service is sung by St Nicholas Chamber Choir
The Choir is conducted by Erik Johannes Riekko
The Organ is played by Irina Vavilova

Cathedral

12.12.2022 at 19.00

Free entry, duration 1 h 20 min