By candlelight, we walked into the beautiful chapel of New College unsure of what to expect. A dense silence filled the room in an eager reverence. We were seated as in parliament, accidentally meeting eyes with those seated across the aisle from us each time our gazes descended from the sculpted ceiling high above. I was glancing through the order of service to get an idea of what to expect when the congregation suddenly stood. The choir was entering the chamber. The silence of the room grew heavier as young boys led the young men followed by the elders of the choir.
What followed was an ethereal experience of the majesty of Christian tradition.
The service was conducted with the call and response done between the priest and the choir, Psalm 70 was recited chorally along with the Lord’s Prayer, and in choral breaks, a liturgist read lessons from scripture.
As the choir once again stood to exit, the congregation stood as well, remaining so as those consecrated marched from the room.
Beautiful.
Aesthetics transcend faith.
This is a random video of the choir of New College in the chapel. My experience was not far off, save for the semi-awkward videography. (If you find the video wanting, attribute whatever was off to the differences implicit in "not far off.")
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