On December 10, 2025, Westminster Abbey was aglow with candlelight and anticipation as King Charles joined an extraordinary gathering of faith leaders for a special Advent service. The historic event, marked by a strong sense of unity and reflection, brought together top clerics from across the United Kingdom and the Middle East, as well as representatives from a wide spectrum of Christian denominations and other faiths. The occasion, held just weeks before Christmas, was rich in symbolism and meaning, highlighting themes of hope, ecumenism, and the ongoing plight of persecuted Christians worldwide.
Arriving at the Abbey’s Great West Door, King Charles was received by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle. The monarch, dressed in a navy suit with a sophisticated lilac tie and smart leather shoes, greeted a line-up of dignitaries before following a procession of religious leaders into the Abbey. The 900-strong congregation included UK and international Christian leaders, Anglican clergy, and representatives of Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, and Hindu communities, as well as various charities. According to BBC News, this meditative service was not only ecumenical but also deeply interfaith, with the King’s commitment to building bridges between faiths evident throughout.
The service itself was a tapestry of Christian tradition, woven with Orthodox, Anglican, and Catholic prayers. The musical program was equally diverse, featuring a hymn sung in Greek by the Coptic Orthodox Diocesan Choir, a carol by the Syriac Orthodox Church choir, a 14th-century carol, and prayers sung in Latin that soared up into the Abbey’s medieval arches. An array of religious icons, reflecting King Charles’s well-known interest in Orthodox Christianity, adorned the sacred space.
In a written message to the congregation, King Charles expressed his delight at the gathering, stating, “It is a great joy to gather with you in the most glorious setting of Westminster Abbey as we celebrate the light, hope and, above all, the peace of this season of Advent.” He continued, “This period is one of preparation, of readying ourselves and looking forward to the wonder of Christ’s birth. Today, we gather for prayer, reflection and music, and to celebrate the Good News in which all Christians rejoice: those around us, and those in areas where it is not easy to live out one’s faith.” The King’s words, as reported by Daily Mail, underscored his ongoing support for persecuted Christians and religious minorities worldwide.
One of the most poignant moments of the service came with the testimony of Ribqa Nevash, a 25-year-old originally from Faisalabad, Pakistan. Ribqa, now living in the UK and working for the charity Aid to the Church In Need, shared her harrowing experiences of persecution in her homeland. She recounted, “At times it was too dangerous for me to go out without my brothers for fear of being kidnapped and raped.” Despite excelling academically, Ribqa faced discrimination at college—she was shunned by classmates and denied the simple joy of celebrating Christmas openly. She ultimately relocated to the UK in 2023 to complete her studies and find safety. Reflecting on her new life, she said, “The UK has been amazing. I can work here to raise my voice as a persecuted woman. I can go anywhere here peacefully and independently. The way you guys celebrate Christmas here is amazing. We couldn’t celebrate there like that openly. At Christmas they would switch off the electricity so we couldn’t celebrate.”
Ribqa’s testimony was not just a story of suffering, but also one of resilience and hope. She expressed her gratitude for the King’s support, saying, “The King has been a great supporter of Aid to the Church In Need, especially for Pakistani Christians and all persecuted minorities around the world. It was a very special feeling. When the King entered I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. To give my speech in front of His Majesty was amazing.” Her story, as reported by BBC News and Daily Mail, brought the realities of religious persecution into sharp focus for all present.
The address was delivered by Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, a senior Catholic clergyman, who spoke passionately about the need to reject intolerance and the “massive persecution of Christians in so many places.” He remembered the tragic death of Bishop Pierre Claverie in Algeria in 1996, who was killed by Islamist extremists but later mourned by both Christians and Muslims. Cardinal Radcliffe observed, “Pointless violence had flowered into friendship.” He also addressed the wider context of global violence, from knife crime to war, and condemned the “hideousness” of anti-Semitism, noting that many Jewish people “no longer feel safe.”
The service was intentionally inclusive, with readings and prayers delivered from the pulpit and the Great Lectern, and prayers said around the seasonal crib. The King lit a candle, symbolizing both the hope of the Advent season and solidarity with those who suffer for their faith. According to BBC News, the King’s message lingered on the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” which he praised as “magnificent.” He quoted its message of hope: “Dispel the long night’s lingering gloom, and pierce the shadows of the tomb.”
The Most Reverend Hosam Naoum, Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem and the Middle East, was among the many church leaders present, reflecting the strong Middle Eastern Christian presence at the service. The event was also attended by other notable religious dignitaries, including the Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth and Paul Baumann CBE, Chapter Clerk and Receiver General at the Abbey. The presence of so many faith leaders, both Christian and non-Christian, highlighted the King’s vision of a society rooted in mutual respect and understanding.
The timing of the service, so close to Christmas, added a layer of poignancy. As the King noted, “May I wish you and your families every blessing of peace, joy and love in this holy season.” The service concluded with the King processing down the centre aisle, meeting with speakers and dignitaries, and sharing a lighthearted moment with Ribqa Nevash and her husband—an anecdote that brought a touch of warmth and humanity to the solemn proceedings.
It has been a busy December for King Charles, who just days earlier hosted German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender at a glittering state banquet at Windsor Castle. The royal family, joined by celebrities and dignitaries, celebrated the first German state visit in 27 years with all the pomp and ceremony befitting the season.
Yet, amid the grandeur and tradition, the Advent service at Westminster Abbey stood out as a powerful reminder of the enduring struggles faced by many for their faith—and the critical importance of compassion, solidarity, and hope. King Charles’s presence and his words resonated deeply, offering a message that, even in a world shadowed by intolerance and violence, the light of peace and understanding can still shine brightly.
