Religious Services Open to the Public
Religious Services Open to the Public
| Vespers service in the St. James Cathedral of the Armenian
Patriarchate is a service of psalms, intercessions, prayers and hymns of
praise offered to God in the evening. The offering of our time in order
to praise God is one of the ways that we human beings have of showing our
love for and faith in God.
Vespers is offered by the monastic community of the Brotherhood of Saints James, consisting of celibate bishops and priests, who wear the pointed cowl. Participating as well are some married priests, deacons, some laymen with permission to wear a stole and students of the Patriarchal seminary. A Vespers service is held every day in the Cathedral from 3:00-3:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Other special services are sometimes held, and information on them may be obtained from the Christian Information Centre located just inside the Jaffa Gate of the Old City. Modest clothing and behavior appropriate to a house of worship, are requested while within the Cathedral, as well as to refrain from eating, drinking and smoking. As there are no pews, visitors may sit on the floor along the walls and may take their cue in sitting or standing from the clergy in attendance. Shrines along the left wall of the Cathedral may be visited, but the sacristy, also located to the left, is closed to visitors. Limited photography is allowed, and visitors are requested to seek permission from the Cathedral Sacristan prior to photographing or filming. |