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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 13h

Every October we celebrate Edward the Confessor, the king and saint whose shrine lies at the heart of the Abbey.

Ahead of our annual pilgrimage to the shrine on 18 October, read more about Edward's life and legacy: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/history/explore-our-history/celebrating-st-edward

A close-up photograph of the stem of a silver chalice, decorated with a small gold figure of St Edward

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 1d

The Innocent Victims' Memorial was dedicated #onthisday in 1998.

Lying just outside the Abbey's west door, the memorial is to remember those who have suffered death, torture and oppression throughout the world.

A photograph taken looking up at the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey

A circular stone memorial reading:
Remember all innocent victims of oppression, war, violence

Five posies of spring flowers laid on the Innocent Victims' Memorial - a circular stone memorial outside Westminster Abbey

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 1d

On #WorldMentalHealthDay, a reminder that the Abbey is open every day with spaces are set aside for private prayer. Anyone is welcome to come and spend a moment of contemplation with us.

You can find out more on at: www.westminster-abbey.org/visit-us/plan-your-visit/access-facilities-and-faq

A single lit white candle burning in Westminster Abbey

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 4d

Everyone is welcome at the services we hold daily in the Abbey.

You can find out more about worshipping with us, including full service times, on our website at: www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music

A view through the quire stalls in Westminster Abbey towards the High Altar. Members of the congregation are standing in the stalls.

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 5d

Many congratulations to our Organist & Master of the Choristers, Andrew Nethsingha, who has been elected President of the Royal College of Organists.

He'll serve a two-year term alongside his role at the Abbey, and you can read more at: www.rco.org.uk/news_displaystory.php?newsid=406

Andrew Nethsingha, wearing a red cassock and white surplice, standing in the quire of Westminster Abbey

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 6d

'Guard the good deposit entrusted to you': The Reverend Mark Birch tells theDay1.org podcast about his roles as our Canon Rector and Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, and shares a sermon drawing on 2 Timothy 1.

You can listen to the episode at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXKcz-OM6Pk

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 9d

Westminster Abbey has been a place of daily worship since the tenth century, and everyone is welcome at our services.

You can find more information about worshipping here, and full service times, on our website:www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music

The nave of Westminster Abbey, with a framed icon of Christ on a pillar in the foreground

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 12d

We're celebrating the Feast of St Michael and All Angels at our services today. Everyone is welcome to join us for Sung Eucharist at 5pm (BST), whether in the Abbey or via our livestream.

Find out more and watch the service at: www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music/watch-services?id=19498

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 13d

'What great creation'
- All's Well that Ends Well (II, 3)

Some autumn views of the Abbey's gardens - a haven for nature in the heart of London

#ShakespeareSunday #Autumn

A photograph of Westminster Abbey on a sunny autumn morning. In the foreground is a large lawn covered in fallen leaves.

A red and an orange gourd growing in a garden

Autumn leaves around the gate to Little Cloister at Westminster Abbey

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 17d

Don't miss Choral Evensong broadcast live from the Abbey on BBC Radio 3 at 3pm today. The service will be sung by the Abbey Choir and will include an introit composed especially for the service by John Rutter to mark the composer's 80th birthday.

More:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002jj2w

The exterior of Westminster Abbey on a sunny autumn day

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 18d

Everyone is welcome at the Abbey for our annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor on 18 October.

Join us as we celebrate the life of Edward, king and saint:
www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-events/edwardtide/2025/october/national-pilgrimage-to-the-shrine-of-edward-the-confessor

The tomb of St Edward the Confessor standing at the centre of the chapel dedicated to his memory in Westminster Abbey.

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 19d

Join us in worship from wherever you are in the world at our streamed services this week:

⦁ Evensong | Monday 22 September | 5pm (BST)
⦁ Evensong | Friday 26 September | 5pm (BST)

You can watch live or on demand via our website at: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music/watch-services

An aerial photograph of a service taking place in Westminster Abbey, with members of the congregation standing in the quire stalls and a priest standing at the High Altar

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 20d

‘Ring out the bells aloud throughout the town’
Henry VI Part I (I, 6)

The Abbey bells ringing out following our annual service of thanksgiving and rededication on #BattleofBritain Sunday here earlier today

🔉Speakers on to enjoy their beautiful sound

#ShakespeareSunday

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 21d

Tomorrow we'll be holding our annual Service of Thanksgiving and Rededication on Battle of Britain Sunday. We'll be streaming the service from 11:00am (BST), and you can watch live on or demand at: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music/watch-services?id=20219

Three uniformed air force personnel carrying the Standard of No. 32 Squadron of the RAF through Westminster Abbey at the end of the 2023 Battle of Britain Sunday service. Members of the congregation stand on either side of the picture.

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 22d

The State Funeral of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was held here at the Abbey three years ago today, on 19 September 2022.

'My soul is athirst for God, yea, even for the living God : when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?'

A photograph from the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey, showing pallbearers carrying the coffin through the church as members of the congregation stand on either side.

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 23d

Every October, we celebrate Edward the Confessor, the king and saint whose shrine lies at the heart of the Abbey.

Everyone is welcome to join us for the annual pilgrimage to the shrine on 18 October, and for our services throughout Edwardtide.

Find out more: www.westminster-abbey.org/edwardtide

The tomb of St Edward the Confessor standing at the centre of the chapel dedicated to his memory in Westminster Abbey. In front of the tomb is an altar with tall silver candlesticks standing on either side

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 26d

The Abbey's RAF Chapel is dedicated to 'The Few' - the airmen of the Battle of Britain who fought against extraordinary odds to defend the country from invasion in 1940.

Read more: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/history/explore-our-history/raf-chapel

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 26d

Today is #HolyCrossDay, when we celebrate the cross as an instrument of salvation.

Everyone is welcome to join us in the Abbey for Evensong at 3pm, with music by Dyson and Bach.

Find out more about worshipping with us: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music

A photograph of a silver and mother-of-pearl Christian cross

Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 27d

'Praise be given to your remembrance'
- Cymbeline (II, 4)

These are the memorials to just a few of the many great figures from centuries of our national life remembered in the Abbey, from kings, queens and statesmen, to writers, musicians and scientists.

#ShakespeareSunday

The tomb of St Edward the Confessor in a chapel dedicated to his memory in Westminster Abbey

The alabaster tomb effigy of Elizabeth I, showing the queen wearing period dress and gold crown

Detail from the large white marble memorial to Sir Isaac Newton in Westminster Abbey

The tomb of Geoffrey Chaucer in Poets' Corner, Westminster Abbey

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · 29d

Winston Churchill married Clementine Hozier in St Margaret's Church, Westminster Abbey, #onthisday in 1908, and the entry in the parish register in pictured here.

St Margaret's has centuries-long links with the House of Commons, with parliamentary weddings and memorial services often held here.

A statue of Winston Churchill standing on a plinth in Parliament Square in London. The West Towers of Westminster Abbey are in the background.

A photograph of a page from the St Margaret's parish register with the handwritten record of the marriage of Winston Churchill and Clementine Hozier

A view through the choir stalls towards the west door in St Margaret's Church, Westminster Abbey

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · Sep 10

Do you know a boy aged 7-8 who loves singing? Our next Chorister Experience Day is on 4 October, with a chance to take a behind the scenes tour of the Abbey, join a rehearsal and sing Evensong with our choir.

More:https://choirschool.westminster-abbey.org/choristership/chorister-experience-events/

A group of young boys in red cassocks jump for joy as they run through the cloisters of Westminster Abbey

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · Sep 10

The Abbey has been a place of worship since the tenth century. Our doors are open daily for services and everyone is welcome to join us.

You can find more information about worshipping here, and full service times, on our website: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music

A view from beneath the quire screen in Westminster Abbey, looking towards the High Altar

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · Sep 8

Today we remember Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on this the third anniversary of her death.

'Bring us, O Lord God, at our last awakening into the house and gate of heaven'

A photograph of Queen Elizabeth II, wearing a berry-coloured hat and coat, smiling as she arrives Westminster Abbey for a service.

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · Sep 7

'Thy scarlet robes'
- Henry VI, Part I (I, 3)

This cope - made from crimson velvet and embroidered with flowers and stars - is the oldest in our collection. It was most recently worn at the coronation of HM The King, and you can see it on permanent display in our museum.

#ShakespeareSunday

The back view of a red velvet cope embroidered with gold thread

The front panels of Charles II's red velvet coronation cope

Detail from Charles II's coronation cope, showing flowers embroidered in gold thread on a red velvet background

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Westminster Abbey @westminsterabbey.bsky.social · Sep 7

Elizabeth I - the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn - was born #onthisday in 1533

This is the magnificent tomb in the Abbey’s Lady Chapel where Elizabeth lies buried with her half-sister, Mary I. Her marble effigy wears a crown and gilded collar and holds an orb and sceptre.

The recumbent tomb effigy of Elizabeth I, with the queen wearing a crown, a long dress and robes, and holding the orb and sceptre

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