For the first time ever in the Vatican, the Anglican evensong will be celebrated at St Peter's Basilica.
The Archpriest of St Peter's gave permission for the Anglican evensong to be held in the Basilica, due on March 13, in a recent meeting with Archbishop David Moxon, director of the Anglican Centre in Rome. The gesture comes on the 500th year of Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses to the Cathedral door in Wittenburg, sparking the Protestant reformation.
The move, according to the Anglican Centre "reflects the deepening bonds of affection and trust between the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church."
Last year, Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury celebrated Vespers together at the Basilica of San Gregorio al Celio in Rome.
On top of that, 19 pairs of Anglican and Catholic bishops from dioceses across the world were sent out in joint mission, in a symbolic act of unity.
The event marked 50 years since the Anglican Centre was set up in Rome to improve ecclesiastical relations.
The invite for evensong is set for March 13 as it is the nearest date available to the feast of St Gregory the Great, patron of Anglican-Catholic relations. Gregory was the Pope who commissioned St Augustine to evangelise Britain in 595. He went on to become the first Archbishop of Canterbury.
Merton College Choir from Oxford, will provide the music for the evensong.
