Sankta Lucia at York Minster
The highlight of the YASS year is surely the annual Sankta Lucia celebration. This is held at York Minster
and involves a candlelit procession, carols and traditional Swedish songs sung by a visiting choir.
In 2024 this choir is Chorus Pictor Choir & Friends from Stockholm.
The event is always very popular and attracts visitors from far afield. Further details are available under events.
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Members of YASS have access to reserved seats close to front, with an excellent view of the choir. ​A collection made at the service is split between York Minster and the CoScan Travel Award.
In 2023 the service was streamed live via the York Minster YouTube channel. We are very grateful to the Dean and Chapter of York Minster for making it possible for everyone to enjoy the event in this way.
The Sankta Lucia service in York Minster begins and ends with prayers, hymns and readings. At the centre of the service is the Choir, led by the chorister representing Lucia. The Choir procession moves from the West End of the Minster to the Nave Sanctuary. By candlelight, the Lucia song and other traditional songs are sung in Swedish. In 2023 the procession was provided by the London Nordic Choir and a video of this is available at the link below:​
There are several versions of the Sankta Lucia song but the most commonly sung today are:
Sankta Lucia, ljusklara hägring
Sung by the Adolf Fredrik Church Chamber Choir
Natten går tunga fjät
Från Oskar Frediks kyrke i Göteborg
For Press and Media attendance at Sankta Lucia in York Minster please contact the York Minster Media Centre.
Lucia 2024
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