Dear Friends,
There is a great deal of excitement around the world for the first Coronation to be held at Westminster Abbey since 1953. I know that quite a number of you plan to watch the pageantry and the service unfold, and that some of you are going to ‘watch parties’. The Coronation Liturgy has elements that have been used in Coronation liturgies in England for over 1,000 years, but some elements are still older, originating in the Hebrew scriptures, including the most solemn moment of the Coronation itself – the Anointing of the King and Queen. The role of the King and the High Priest in the Old Testament was to be a sign of unity. Psalm 133 describes very powerfully the anointing of the High Priest:
Ecce, quam bonum!
Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is: brethren, to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down unto the beard: even unto Aaron’s beard, and went down to the skirts of his clothing.
Like as the dew of Hermon: which fell upon the hill of Sion.
For there the Lord promised his blessing: and life for evermore.
I have to say that I thought that the service had been the same for centuries, only to discover that the Archbishop of Canterbury authorizes the liturgy after discussing it with the King, the Bishops, and other advisors. In addition to twelve new musical commissions, there are a number of new things in this Coronation Liturgy, most notably the Homage of the People.
In previous Coronations the Homage has been the prerogative of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Heir to the Throne, followed by the Royal Dukes, and then the hereditary peerage in order of degree. The homage of peers alone has been replaced by the Homage of the People. The Archbishop will invite those who wish, from the United Kingdom and the other Realms, both within the Abbey and those watching and listening at home, to make their homage by sharing in the same words – a chorus of millions of voices enabled for the first time in history to participate in this solemn and joyful moment. This is a new and significant moment in the tradition of the Coronation. Never before in the history of the United Kingdom has the general public been offered such an opportunity to join with national figures in declaring their allegiance to a new Sovereign.
Click on this image to see the official liturgy and its commentary:
On Sunday, at 4pm, we will be joined by representatives of the various Missions and Consulate Generals of the Commonwealth of Nations, United Nations workers, members of the Orders of St. John and Malta, our Bishop Coadjutor-Elect, and local clergy as we hold a special evensong in thanksgiving for the Coronation. King Charles III may not be our Head of State, but the Coronation liturgy has so many themes that resonate with the sacramental and missionary life of the Church. We can all join together to wish King Charles and Queen Camilla well, and pray that in these dark and difficult times, we may be all be reminded of the importance of unity, integrity, and the path to peace.
Alison and I are delighted to have been invited to attend the Coronation Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. On Thursday, I will be preaching a sermon in the Chapel Royal at St. James’s Palace, and then attending the 1660 Society Dinner hosted by the Oxford and Cambridge Club. On Friday, the Dean of Westminster has invited us to join the clergy and staff of Westminster Abbey to have a private viewing of the Coronation Theater before it is opened to the public. I am also meeting with the Dean of Canterbury, and the Director of Music of Westminster Abbey, so it will be a very full, but rewarding few days. When I visit the Shrine of St. Edward the Confessor, I will say a prayer for all of you and light a candle.
Your Priest and Pastor,
Carl
