Christmas at one of the world’s most famous religious retreats will be marked this week much as it has been for over 700 years.
The 20 Monks currently residing at Pluscarden Abbey have been busy rehearsing for their Christmas Day mass in both English and Latin – and looking forward to a more modern ‘tradition’, enjoying a move on television after enjoying their festive lunch.
Pluscarden has been the home for monks since the year 1230 with Christmas each year celebrated in much the same manner.
It is one day of the year when the monks lay aside their normal routine of prayer and work from 4.30am – and as has been the tradition members of the public are once again welcome to attend any of the services held at the Catholic Abbey during the celebrations.
The Latin mass on Christmas Day is to be conducted at 11am, three hours later than the English mass, while there is also a mass on Christmas Eve at 9am.
The Feast of St Stephen will be celebrated on Boxing Day followed by the Feast of St John the Apostle on December 27 and the Feast of the Holy Family on December 28.
Anyone wishing to attend any of the services is asked to contact the Abbey on 01343 890257.