There are four Easter services at Saint Thomas, three on Easter Day (April 20) and one the night before (April 19). Here is what you need to konw about seating:
- The Easter service on April 19 begins at 5:30pm and in past years there has always been enough room for everyone who wanted to attend. It is a long service, beginning in near darkness and ending in great light with the First Eucharist of Easter. The total length of the service is about two and a half hours. If you come to this service, please try to arrive before 5:30pm to get situated in a pew. Because the service begins near the Fifth Avenue entrance, it will be difficult to enter and get to your seats if you arrive right before 5:30pm. Arriving by 5:20pm (or earlier) is ideal.
- There are two Solemn Eucharists on Easter Day (April 20), at 8am and 11am. Please note that the 8am Eucharist and the 11am Eucharist are identical. Both are sung by the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys alongside the Saint Thomas Brass. Both have exactly the same music, lessons and sermon. The doors for the 8am Solemn Eucharist will open at 7am. In past years there have always been enough seats for everyone who has attended the 8am service. Be advised that at the 11am Solemn Eucharist we are usually full to capacity, and those who arrive late may not be able to find seats. So, we kindly suggest that you consider following the example of the women who arrived at the break of dawn at the empty tomb. Early is good. If you want to attend the 11am Eucharist, we suggest arriving by 10am to secure a good seat. You will not be able to get a seat before 9:30am, because the 8am Eucharist will not have ended yet. Seats for the 11am Eucharist can be occupied on a first come basis as soon as the faithful at the 8am service have vacated their seats.
- If you are worried about the crowds on Easter Day at 11am, and if you are unable to come at 8am, there is one more alternative, especially if you prefer a shorter service. Consider attending Solemn Evensong at 3pm. It is preceded by an organ recital. So, if you arrive before 2:30pm, you’ll not only be able to hear the entire recital, but you’ll have a good seat for Evensong. However, be advised that there is no Eucharist as part of Evensong. Therefore, if you want to make your Holy Communion on Easter Day, you should come at 8am or 11am, or at 5:30pm on the night before.
We hope you join us in praise of the Risen Christ on Holy Saturday, on Easter Day, or on some other day very soon. We wish you a most joyous and happy Eastertide.
