To support and raise awareness for this year’s World Encephalitis Day, Winchester Cathedral is hosting a special Broadcast Choral Evensong on Tuesday 22nd February at 5.30pm.
Working in partnership with the Encephalitis Society, the Live Streamed event will include readings, prayers and choral music from members of the Cathedral choir. The Dean of Winchester, the Very Revd Catherine Ogle will begin the service by welcoming the congregation, before handing over to Dr Ava Easton, Chief Executive of the Encephalitis Society, who will provide a virtual video welcome.
Rebecca Adlington OBE will provide a virtual reading of the First Lesson and the service will close with a virtual performance from internationally acclaimed soprano, Aliki Chrysochou who has recorded a rendition of Ave Maria by Schubert. There will also be live music from the Cathedral choirs and soloists.
On the day, the interior of the Cathedral will be lit up in red to help “shine a light” on this devastating brain condition, which affects 500,000 people globally each year.
Andy Trenier, Canon Precentor and Sacrist at Winchester Cathedral said, “We are delighted to support this year’s World Encephalitis Day. I hope that by hosting this special Broadcast Evensong, with special contributions from guest speakers and singers, and by lighting up the interior of Winchester Cathedral in red, it will help to raise awareness on a condition that many people still know so very little about. All are welcome to join us for an evening of worship, to support those affected by Encephalitis and to celebrate the efforts of the Encephalitis Society who work tirelessly to provide accredited information and direct support to patients, families and medical professionals, whilst also funding groundbreaking research and organising global awareness initiatives”.
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain and can affect anyone of any age. It is often caused by an infection invading the brain, or the immune system attacking the brain in error. There is low awareness of the condition – 77 percent of people do not know what encephalitis is, despite the fact that in many countries it has a higher incidence than multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease (ALS), bacterial meningitis, and cerebral palsy.
Due to it often mimicking other illnesses, it is often misdiagnosed. Those who survive encephalitis are often left with an acquired brain injury, the consequence of which means a return to work or education can be difficult. It can affect abilities such as concentration, attention, thinking, memory, judgement and inhibition, while leaving a legacy of additional challenges such as epilepsy or fatigue.
Supporters of the campaign, led by the Encephalitis Society, are also being asked to wear red and share pictures of themselves on social media using the hashtag, #RED4WED or to take part in the BrainWalk fundraising challenge.
To find out more about World Encephalitis Day, please visit the website.
To watch the special Evensong, please tune in to the Winchester Cathedral Live Stream.
