YP Letters: Prayer visit was at busiest time for York Minster

From: The Very Reverend Vivienne Faull, Dean Of York.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Jan 2016, 16:32 BST
Updated 13th Jan 2016, 16:39 BST
The Dean of York Minster, Vivienne Faull, chatting with the Archbishop of York Dr. John Sentamu in York Minster.The Dean of York Minster, Vivienne Faull, chatting with the Archbishop of York Dr. John Sentamu in York Minster.
The Dean of York Minster, Vivienne Faull, chatting with the Archbishop of York Dr. John Sentamu in York Minster.

I WAS most concerned to read Patricia Garrick’s account (“Treated badly on prayer call”, The Yorkshire Post, December 30) of her negative experience of visiting York Minster to pray on Christmas Eve.

Ms Garrick’s visit to the Minster coincided with the most popular service of the year: the service of Nine Lessons and Carols which took place at 4pm.

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Many people arrived two hours or more before the start of service, so by the time Ms Garrick arrived the Minster was already nearly at capacity.

More than 3,000 people attended that evening and we had to be careful to ensure that everyone was safe.

That is why Ms Garrick 
was asked to wait for a few moments.

Others did wait, and were admitted to pray or to light a candle at what for many is a time of rememberance as well as celebration.

The service of Nine Lessons and Carols is a service (and a wonderful one).

In common with all our services there is no charge to attend, so there was no question of commercial concern or priority.

Related topics:York MinsterYorkshire PostMinster