Oslo’s cathedral, which became a magnet for mourners following last summer’s terrorist attacks, was planning to stay open most of the Christmas weekend as a place of solace, solitude and celebration. Special services were scheduled from early in the morning on the 24th, until midnight.
Christmas Eve is the main day for celebration and holiday observances in Norway, and the capital’s cathedral was taking its role seriously. The cathedral, formally known as Oslo Domkirken, was offering its first Christmas Eve service at 8:15am on Saturday, with sermons by lead pastor Olav Dag Hauge and the popular clergyman Per Arne Dahl.
More services were scheduled for 1pm, featuring the nationally famous boys choir Sølvguttene, and Kåre Nordstoga on the organ. It would be followed by another church service at 3pm.
At 6pm, volunteers were serving Christmas Eve dinner in the crypts under the cathedral, with no reservations required. More organ music would be played by 10:40pm, followed by yet another late-night service at 11pm.
Traditional church services would also be held at 11am on Sunday, Christmas Day, and at 11am on Monday, known as annenjuledag (second Christmas Day).
Views and News staff
