Abbey brings Christian leaders together to celebrate Pentecost

The Day of Pentecost marks fifty days since Easter Day and it concludes the Easter season. The name comes from peninta the Greek word (πενήντα) for fifty. It is a major feast of the Church’s year when Christians recall how God’s Holy Spirit was poured out upon the apostles after Jesus’ ascension, empowering them to begin the work of making disciples of all nations. The Abbey asked leaders of Greek Orthodox, Catholic and Methodist traditions to contribute to a special ecumenical episode of Abbeycast, the Abbey’s worship podcast, which is published today, Sunday 31st May.

The American-born Orthodox Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain; Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster; and the Reverend Michaela Youngson, Chair of the London District of the Methodist Church are the special guests for this week’s podcast.

Archbishop Nikitas reads St John’s Gospel, whilst Cardinal Nichols and the Reverend Michaela Youngson contribute prayers. All recorded their contributions from home.

It is led by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle with an address by the Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian.

Thomas Tomkins’ O sing unto the Lord a new song, sung by the Abbey Choir and conducted by James O’Donnell, Organist and Master of the Choristers, is supplied by the Choir’s record label, Hyperion Records.

Listen to the podcast