Special service to mark reopening of Ripon Cathedral for worship

A fire will be lit on the forecourt outside Ripon Cathedral on Saturday evening as part of a special service led by the Bishop of Leeds.

In a replica of the ritual that would have taken place the day before Easter, Holy Saturday, the paschal candle will be lit from the flames and carried through a darkened church to herald the first Holy Communion since lockdown taking place this Sunday.

The service, which will begin at 7.30pm on Saturday makes a shift in the Government guidelines which means cathedrals and churches are able to open to visitors and pilgrims for services once again.

Like others across the region, Ripon Cathedral re-opened for private prayer on June 15 and since then has seen a steady flow of people across its threshold, coming to pray, light candles and speak with its priests.

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson said: “We are encouraged by the positive response to our opening for private prayer on June 15; notwithstanding all the necessary demands to ensure the public are kept as safe as possible, it is clearly the case that there is a significant need both amongst regular worshippers and the wider community to cross the thresholds of our churches and cathedrals both for private prayer and public worship.

“At Ripon Cathedral we are very keen to respond to the heightened awareness that many now have of God’s presence and activity in their lives.”