There will generally be ushers to greet you as you enter the Cathedral for scheduled worship. If you desire, they will gladly answer your questions about the service. Although many families routinely sit in the same pews from week to week, pews are not reserved.

Following the service the Dean greets the people as they leave.

The Church Building

Buildings built exclusively for Christian worship came late in the history of the Church since for more than 300 years, Christianity was outlawed in the Roman Empire. Early Christians met in private homes or, in times of persecution, in underground cemeteries called "catacombs." When Constantine became Emperor and Christianity became legal, buildings began to reflect the religion they were designed to serve. Many were constructed in the shape of a cross and are called "cruciform."

Saint Mark's was built in in the 1920's in the English Gothic style as designed by famous Boston architect, Dr. Ralph Cram. The overall interior design is intended to draw one's eye to the altar and to the cross. So our thoughts are taken at once to Christ and to God whose worship is our only focus.

The entrance to the cathedral is called the Narthex or "porch," and symbolizes the entrance to the Christian life.

The Nave extends from the narthex to the front of the church. The word "nave" comes from the Latin and means "ship." The ship has long been a symbol for the Church ("the ark of salvation"). In Christian life, the nave stands for the gathering of the faithful.

The Chancel includes the Sanctuary and the Choir. The Choir houses the Lectern, the Pulpit and pews for seating the choir. On the south side, an open Bible lays on the lectern. Here the Scriptures are read for public worship. On the north side is the pulpit from which the Word of God is proclamed and the sermon is preached.

The Sanctuary is that part of the church where the Altar is located. On the altar and on the table behind it, there are candles to remind us that Christ is the "Light of the world" (John 8:12). During worship there are flowers to beautify God's house and to recall the resurrection of Jesus.

The antique stained-glass windows are more than just adornments. In visual form, the windows present the story of Christ and celebrate the beauty of God's creation.

The gallery on the north side of the nave leads into the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament where the Sacrament is reserved. The gallery on the south side of the nave leads out into the Parish House, to the Offices, and to the Bishop Beecher Library.

Worship

Weekday celebrations of the Eucharist in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament are without music, and with a brief homily.

Another liturgy is Morning Prayer. The parallel evening service is Evening Prayer and its choral version, Evensong. These services consist of psalms, Bible readings, and prayers; and may include a sermon or homily.

While some parts of the liturgy are always the same, others change. At the Holy Eucharist, for example, three Bible selections are read. These change each Sunday. Certain of the prayers also change. Page numbers for parts of the service printed elsewhere in the Book of Common Prayer are usually given in the service leaflet. But do not be embarrassed to ask your neighbor for the page number.

You will find the liturgy at Saint Mark's beautiful in its ordered dignity, God-centered, and yet mindful of the nature and needs of human beings.

Vestments

The Cathedral Choir vests in a red gown called a cassock.

The Dean normally vests in an alb, a white tunic with sleeves that covers the body from neck to ankles. Over it the Dean and other ordained ministers wear a stole, a narrow band of colored fabric. Deacons wear the stole over one shoulder, priests and bishops over both shoulders.

At the Holy Eucharist the Dean, other priests and the Bishop, if present, usually wear a chasuble (a circular garment that envelopes the body) over the alb and stole. A deacon's corresponding vestment has sleeves and is called a dalmatic. Bishops sometimes wear a special headcovering called a mitre.

The vestments at the Cathedral, stoles, chasubles, and dalmatics, as well as altar coverings, are of rich fabrics and most are antiques. Their color changes with the seasons and holy days of the Church Year. The most frequently used colors are white, red, violet, and green.

The Church Year

Lent, the forty days of preparation for Easter, begins on Ash Wednesday. Easter season lasts fifty days, concluding on the feast of Pentecost.

During these times, the Bible readings are chosen for their appropriateness to the season. During the rest of the year - the season after Epiphany and the long season after Pentecost (except for a few special Sundays) - the New Testament is read sequentially from Sunday to Sunday. The Old Testament lesson corresponds in theme with one of the New Testament readings. To read next Sunday's readings, click here.

Some Church Customs

The general custom in most Episcopal Churches including the Cathedral is to "stand for praise, sit for instruction, and kneel for prayer."

We stand to sing - hymns (found in the red Hymnal in the pews) and other songs (many of them from Scripture) called canticles or chants and printed as part of the service. We stand, too, to recite our affirmation of faith, the Nicene Creed; and for the reading of the Gospel.

Psalms are sung or said seated. We sit during readings from the Old Testament or New Testament letters, the sermon, and the choir anthems.

We generally kneel for prayer to show our gratefulness to God for accepting us as children and as an act of humility before God. It is, however, perfectly acceptable to stand for prayer.

It is the custom upon entering the church to kneel in one's pew for a prayer of personal preparation for worship. Most people do not talk in church before worship but use this time for personal meditation and devotions.

On entering or leaving one's pew, we usually acknowledge God's presence by bowing toward the altar. This simple act helps to remind us that we are in a holy place dedicated to prayer and worship.

Many people bow as the processional cross passes. The cross is the foremost symbol of our faith, reminding us of how much God loved the world. Making the sign of the cross is one way of expressing one's thankfulness when receiving a blessing, hearing the Gospel read, or accepting God's forgiveness in the words of absolution.

None of these customs is required, but many worshippers find them to be helpful means of deepening their spiritual awareness.

Following the liturgy is a time to greet friends and members of the church family and to extend a warm welcome to newcomers and visitors. Some persons kneel for a private prayer before leaving. Others sometimes sit to listen to the organ postlude. Coffee is provided in the Bishop Beecher Library following the 10:00 celebration.

Feel free to ask the clergy anything you want to know about the services or the customs you observe. Much of the deeper meaning of an Episcopal service is found in rich symbolism that has developed over two thousand years of devotion.

Receiving Holy Communion

Baptized children are more than welcom to receive if they and their parents desire it. Baptized adults and children are asked to consume the bread and take a sip from the chalice (cup). Those not wishing to drink from the chalice, may leave the bread on the palm of either hand and the chalice bearer will dip the bread in the wine and place it on your tongue. If you do not wish to take the wine, you may cross your hands over your chest after consuming the bread.

Unless there is a definite reason to do so, worshippers should not leave the church before the thanksgiving is said at the close of the service. If one must go, a thanksgiving should be said silently before leaving the church.

Finally, You Will Not Be Embarrassed

Should you wish to know more about the Cathedral, the Episcopal Church or how to become an Episcopalian, the Dean will gladly answer your questions and suggest the way to membership.

We hope this electronic visit to Saint Mark's Cathedral is enjoyable and we look forward to your visit with us in person!

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