Evensong - Definition and Overview

Evensong is a term for the Evening Prayer service from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, especially for when the service is rendered chorally. It is roughly the equivalent of sung vespers in the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran churches.

The service of Evensong generally consists of the following:

• Preces — a series of responsory prayers.
• A portion of the psalter, usually one psalm.
• Two lessons (readings) from the Bible.
• Two canticles, usually the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis.
• Several prayers and responses, including the Kyrie eleison and the Lord's Prayer.
• An anthem.

All of the above except the lessons are typically sung by the choir. A sermon may be preached at the end on Sundays, but does not form a set part of the liturgy. Musical settings for various parts of Evensong have been written by many English composers, including William Byrd and Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Most cathedrals of the Church of England offer this service regularly, often daily. In other provinces of the Anglican Communion, such as the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, it is offered less often, although many parishes do hold special Evensong services occasionally.

See also

• Anglican church music
• Service (music)