“Compline is the final church service (or Office) of the day in the Christian tradition of canonical hours. The English word Compline (pronounced ‘comp-lin) is derived from the Latin word completorium meaning completion, since Compline completes the liturgy of the day.”

 ~The Compline Choir

One of my favorite “discoveries” in the past several years has been the Compline service at Saint Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle. The service is entirely sung and chanted by an all-male choir. It’s truly beautiful. Listening to the live radio broadcast has become a weekly ritual for me, a nice bookend on my week. When I am able, I like to attend the service in person. It feels a bit like sneaking into a monastery and listening to the monks sing their bedtime prayers.

If this sounds like something you would enjoy, there are several options available:

• First, if you live anywhere near Saint Mark’s, I encourage you to attend in person. The service is at 9:30 PM every Sunday night and is truly “come-as-you-are.” The parking lot is small, and the service is very well attended, so plan to come a little early. The service is only 30 minutes long and is often followed by an organ concert on the cathedral’s Flentrop pipe organ.
• Secondly, you can listen to the live radio broadcast on Classical King FM, both on the radio or online.
• Thirdly, if 9:30 PM (Pacific) is too late for you, or inconvenient due to time zone differences, The Compline Choir keeps an archive of recent services on their website.

Have a blessed Sunday,

~Janet