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King Charles attended a candle-lit Advent service at Westminster Abbey, where he reflected on the challenges faced by Christians suffering persecution worldwide. The event was marked by a strong influence from Orthodox Christian traditions, complemented by Anglican and Catholic prayers. Throughout the service, a clear message emerged warning against religious discrimination, with the King emphasizing support for those living in environments where practicing faith is difficult.
The occasion carried an uplifting seasonal tone, offering hope amid the winter darkness. King Charles highlighted the significance of “the light, hope and, above all, the peace of this season.” Among the hymns performed, he particularly admired “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” which he described as “magnificent” in the Order of Service.
The service was led by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, and featured representatives from various Christian denominations. These included the Most Reverend Hosam Naoum, the Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem and the Middle East. The service was both meditative and diverse, incorporating a blend of traditional and Orthodox elements, with participants donning colorful religious vestments and offering prayers and music in multiple languages.
A key sermon was delivered by Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, who addressed the need to reject intolerance and highlighted the “massive persecution of Christians in so many places.” He recalled the 1996 killing of Bishop Pierre Claverie in Algeria by Islamist extremists, noting how his death led to an unusual expression of friendship between Christians and Muslims. The congregation also listened to Ribqa Nevash from Pakistan, who shared her experience of religious discrimination and the destruction of churches in her home country. At 25 years old and now living in the UK, she expressed relief at being able to celebrate Christmas openly without fear.
King Charles has a well-known interest in Orthodox Christianity, reflected in the presence of icons displayed inside Westminster Abbey for the service. Musical contributions included a hymn sung in Greek by the Coptic Orthodox Diocesan Choir and a carol from the Syriac Orthodox Church choir, alongside a 14th-century carol and Latin prayers resonating through the Abbey’s historic interior. The King’s remarks centered on the hopeful message of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” quoting the line: “Dispel the long night’s lingering gloom, and pierce the shadows of the tomb.”
Demonstrating his commitment to interfaith dialogue, King Charles welcomed guests from Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, and Hindu communities at the service. His ongoing efforts to foster religious understanding were further illustrated by his visit to the Vatican in October, where he attended a historic religious ceremony in the Sistine Chapel alongside Pope Leo
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