On Easter Sunday, St Paul’s Cathedral will remember those who perished in terror attacks in the presence of the Consul of Belgium, the Consul-General of Turkey and other members of the Consular Corps.
A solemn Choral Evensong at 6pm on Easter Day will commemorate those who perished in recent terror attacks in Belgium and Turkey, and other areas of conflict. Consul of the Kingdom of Belgium, Dr Pierre van Osselaar, and Consul-General of the Republic of Turkey, Mr Mehmet Kucuksakalli, will deliver messages of peace, calling for unity and reconciliation.
The Dean of Melbourne, Dr Andreas Loewe, said: “Easter marks the conviction that death will not have the final word. Our celebration of Christ’s rising from the dead gives hope even in the midst of great conflict and fear. Our commemoration holds in tension both the reality of death and the sadness of grief, and the Christian hope of resurrection. It is an invitation to commit again to the work of reconciliation and peace.”
At the service candles of remembrance will be lit by members of the Consular Corps, as Cathedral clergy lead a roll of recent places of conflict and terror. Dean Andreas said: “We will light candles to remember those who have died as a tangible reminder of the Easter hope: that we are called to be lights of hope. We all can be bearers of Christ’s message of love and peace. By our prayers and actions we can show our broken world that love is greater than hate, and stronger than death”.
A Book of Condolence is available to record messages of hope and thanksgiving for the people of Belgium. Members of the public, and those wishing to pay their respects to those who died and join in prayer for peace, are welcome to attend this commemorative service.