COVENTRY Cathedral held a series of poignant remembrance services and events to mark both Remembrance Sunday and the 82nd anniversary of the day the original building was bombed in the Blitz.
The Cathedral Church of St. Michael was reduced to ruins on November 14, 1940, becoming the only British Cathedral to be destroyed in the war.
The raid lasted 11 hours and destroyed 43,000 homes within the city, with the official death toll from the night being 554, although with many people unaccounted for it is likely the figure is higher.
The Cathedral Ruins are now considered a symbol of peace, hope and reconciliation across the world.
This year is of extra significance as the new Cathedral, built directly opposite the ruins, is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee.
The week of remembrance began last Wednesday (November 9) with a screening of ‘Action Rayz: Fires Were Started’, which documents the courage displayed by the people of London during the Blitz.
The Blitz museum, located within the ruins, held a special opening over the weekend with children’s activities, and on Saturday evening the Coventry Cathedral Chorus held a concert of remembrance.
Remembrance Sunday was marked by a special service within the ruins, followed by a Choral Evensong in the afternoon.
And the day ended with a screening of War Requiem followed by a talk and discussion with the film’s producer, Don Boyd.
Kathryn Fleming, Canon for Worship and Community said: “Remembering all those who have died in war and doing so in a place that bears such visible scars is a powerful reminder of all the loss that war entails, and an encouragement to commit once again to live as people of peace in our city of reconciliation.
“We give thanks as ever to those before us who chose a path of peace and reconciliation, and are proud to stand for these values today.”
