Sunday 23 October marked the return of the Annual Seafarers Service to the Cathedral after two years of services held online. Representatives from the Royal Australian Navy, Merchant Navy, Master Mariners all took part in the service along with members of Mission to Seafarers and Stella Maris.
The annual service has been held at St Paul’s since 1907 as a reminder of the sacrifice and commitment made by Seafarers in the Merchant Navy and Territorial Navy.
In giving the bidding the Dean, the Very Revd Dr Andreas Loewe, said
We give thanks to God for all who serve The Royal Australian Navy and the Merchant Navy, both serving members, cadets and veterans. We remember with thanksgiving those who sacrificed their lives to provide for and protect our nation. We pray for those whose lives were changed forever through injury or trauma suffered as part of their service.
We give thanks for all who serve in our Naval and Defence Forces, and for members of the Merchant Navy. Travelling far away and for long periods of time, we pray for them, and their families, to be sustained and protected from loneliness in times of separation. We pray for those working in our fishing fleets and port services, and ask for their protection as they go about their work.
Above all we give thanks for Christ’s promise to be with us in comfort and in peril, in this life and forevermore. We pray that through our joyful obedience to his call, in working for justice, peace, equity and the protection of our planet, we may together usher in a new kingdom of righteousness and peace.
At the end of the service, the Dean prayed for God’s blessing on all who serve and make a living on the seas and all who work in the Ports of Victoria.
