Pluscarden Abbey's monks line up to receive Covid-19 vaccinations
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
MONKS at Pluscarden Abbey lined up to receive their Covid-19 injections last week.
The jabs took place on Thursday, March 11, in the Abbey's mediaeval Chapter House.
One of the 19-strong community of Catholic Benedictine monks, Brother Cyprian, who is in charge of health matters at the Abbey, said: "The older monks had already had their shots, and it made good sense for everyone else to be treated at the same time.
"There are some quite vulnerable members in the community, and we are grateful to the NHS for making this possible."
Meanwhile the Abbey has received a warm response from around the world to its online services.
It has been live-streaming three of its services daily after requests from people who can't get to their churches and from regular guests and visitors who can't attend Abbey services due to pandemic restrictions.
Brother Joseph, who is responsible for organising services at the Abbey, said the longest services were Mass on weekdays at 9am and on Sundays at 10am.
He added: "They change from day to day, and since the singing is in Latin, we provide a scrolling translation of most of what's being sung, as some people expressed frustration at not being able to understand."
Other viewers have given their suggestions, and now several cameras and microphones are in use to improve sound and vision.
Later in the day comes Vespers, evening prayer, at 5.30pm on weekdays and 5.15pm on Sundays.
Last of all is Compline, at 7.55pm each evening.
Brother Joseph added: "We sing it in the dark, by candlelight. It's very atmospheric, and people find it very beautiful and tranquil."
The services are archived so people can tune in whenever it suits them, unlimited by time zones. They have drawn an audience from Australia to North America, with Compline proving to be a popular way for people to mark the end of their own day, at whatever hour that may be.
Brother Michael de Klerk said: "Balancing the sound inputs, and the often very contrasting light levels, has been a challenge, but we're learning all the time, constantly trying to improve."
The services can be viewed on the Abbey's website here.
