Melbourne Anglican Archbishop Philip Freier today expressed his deep sadness and sense of loss at the death of Her Late Majesty, the Queen, saying Melbourne’s Anglicans will mourn her alongside all of Britain, the Commonwealth and people across the world.
View details of services giving thanks for the life of Her Majesty here.
“The Queen was much-admired and respected by millions of Australians,” Archbishop Philip Freier said. His prayers are with the King and the Royal family as they grieve the loss of a mother and grandmother.
“We pray also for the people of the United Kingdom, as they grieve the loss of their beloved Queen.”
Archbishop Freier thanked God for the Queen’s life of service and faith to her subjects in Britain and the Commonwealth.
“We remember her too as a faithful Christian and leader of the Church of England, whose faith gave her the courage, resilience and her strong ethic of service to others.
“We remember with gratitude the grace with which she performed her duties, a steadfast and reassuring figure through decades of tremendous change and times of both hardship and joy.
“We remember with gratitude the grace with which she performed her duties, a steadfast and reassuring figure through decades of tremendous change and times of both hardship and joy.”
“As frequent visitor to Australia the Queen had a special place in the hearts of Australians and she leaves behind a truly extraordinary legacy, having touched the lives of so many.
“May Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II rest in peace and rise in glory.”
Melbourne’s Anglican Cathedral, St Paul’s, will hold a solemn Choral Evensong at 6pm on Sunday 11 September 2022 to celebrate the long life of the Queen. The service, led by Archbishop Freier, is open to all and will be live-screened online.
The Dean of Melbourne, Dr Andreas Loewe, said: “Queen Elizabeth has been a magnificent ambassador of the Christian faith. Her deeply held convictions shaped her service to our nation and the commonwealth of nations. Sunday’s service will be an opportunity for the people of Victoria to honour our late Queen and to pray for King Charles and all who mourn with us the death of a greatly loved leader”.
Queen Elizabeth II first visited St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne in 1954, following her coronation. During her visits to the State of Victoria she has been a regular worshipper at St Paul’s. The Book of Gold, recording her first visit, will be displayed at the Cathedral today, and during the coming days. Prayers of thanksgiving for the long life of the Queen and for those who mourn her will be said at all services at St Paul’s in the coming ten days.
Image: BBC