Compline

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Every Sunday night at 9:30 for the past 50 years the office of Compline has been publicly celebrated at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral and broadcast live on KING FM, Seattle's classical music station. (Podcasts are here.) The Compline Coir of fifteen men sings the prayer service which includes music from many periods and styles, including plainsong. The half hour observance is free and open to the public, and is sometimes followed by an organ recital. It is a Seattle tradition that has inspired similar public Compline choral observances all over the USA. People from all walks of life attend and are welcomed, whether people of faith or secular, whether neighbors from Capitol Hill where St. Mark's is located, or university and high school students from all over town who pack this service. The atmosphere is hushed and peaceful, yet a blend of extremely casual "come as you are, sit anywhere, even the floor, lie down if you'd like," and the most reverent and contemplative of observances. During this christian season of Lent, the services are especially well-attended. Here you see a portion of the choir which has just assembled at the back of the cathedral. I took this with my iPhone around a pillar just as their entry processional ended and they were placing their music on the stands. The lines on the floor are part of a labyrinth and the shadow on the wall is cast by one of the round art deco pendent chandeliers.