Ash Wednesday Service of Commination

‘Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem’

by Rembrandt (1630),

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands

image courtesy Wikipedia

A Service of Commination and Holy Communion will be held in our Cathedral on Ash Wednesday, 22 February, from 7:45am, with Cathedral Choir.

‘Commination’ is the solmen recital of God's threats against unrepentant sinners, traditional in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, on Ash Wednesday, at the beginning of Lent.

It is accompanied by the hope of justification and forgiveness, through the perfect sacrifice of Christ, remembered in the Lord's Supper.

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. “Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” – James 4:8-10