THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF SAINT PETER IN EXETERTHE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF SAINT PETER IN EXETER
A sample 720K MP3 sound clip of the Exeter Cathedral Choir can be downloaded by clicking on the above picture. It is recommended that you read the text below before listening to the clip as it explains exactly what you are listening to. The clip starts at the beginning of the service and ends at ***.
WHEN the present Cathedral was newly completed, John Grandisson, Bishop of Exeter from 1327 to 1369, inserted into the Christmas liturgy a special ceremony. In 'this most holy night' of Christmas Eve choristers with lighted tapers emerged from behind the high altar and, with the rest of the choir, announced the birth of our Saviour, first in the Quire, then in the Nave. Our modern service begins with this ancient ceremony, after which the Good News of the Nativity of Jesus Christ is proclaimed more fully in readings of scripture, hymns and carols, and in the great procession to the Christmas tree and the crib.
¶ The Cathedral is in darkness. The congregation remains seated as the Choristers and Gentlemen of the Choir go to the Ambulatory. Two Choristers vested in albs and amices, each bearing a lighted candle in his hand, stand in front of the high altar. Facing west, they sing:
HODIE nobis coelorum rex de virgine nasci dignatus est.
Today the King of heaven has for us deigned to be born of a Virgin
¶ This announcement is repeated by the rest of the Choristers, and the Choir continues :
UT hominem perditum revocaret.
Gaudet exercitus angelorum quia salus
aeterna humano generi apparuit.
That he might restore lost humanity.
The angelic host rejoices because eternal
salvation has appeared unto all people.
¶ During this antiphon the lights come on and the two Choristers proceed westwards towards the Nave. They are joined by the Canon Precentor. The Choir sings:
GLORIA in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. Alleluia.
Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of goodwill. Alleluia.
***
¶ The Procession having come to the Screen, the Precentor hands on the glad tidings to the people assembled in the Nave,
HODIE nobis coelorum rex de virgine nasci dignatus est.
¶ The two Choristers reply
HODIE illuxit nobis Dominus.
Today the Lord has shone upon us.
¶ To this the Choir responds:
ALLELUIA
¶ The Choir then continues:
DESCENDIT de coelis et homo factus est.
Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax
hominibus bonae voluntatis. Alleluia.
He came down from heaven, and was made man.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace
to men of goodwill. Alleluia.
¶ The procession now returns to the Quire, and while the Boy Choristers and Gentlemen of the Choir move from the Ambulatory to their places in the Quire through the north and south doors of the Sanctuary, the College of Canons, the Chapter and the Bishop enter the Cathedral led by the Girl Choristers. The service then continues with hymns, carols and lessons and the procession to the Christmas tree and the crib.