On a hot afternoon, they came together to remember the twenty two whose lives were cut short and the many more injured and affected by the events that so tragically shattered Manchester one year ago.
His Majesty the Duke of Cambridge, the Prime Minister Theresa May, the leader of Manchester City Council, Sir Richard Leese and Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham were joined by survivors, members of the emergency services in an hour long service at Manchester Cathedral.
Outside in Cathedral Gardens, many more sat or stood to watch the service on the big screen.
They stood in absolute silence to observe the minute to remember the twenty-two, as their pictures flashed up on the big screen, they applauded as the Hallé Youth choir sang over the rainbow and when the Bishop of Manchester reminded the congregation that the Cathedral, Just twenty yards from where the atrocity took place, would be here always for people to remember those events.
Welcoming people to the service, the Very Reverend Rogers Govender said they had “come together as people of different faiths and none” to remember those affected in the attack.
This was a multi faith service, there were readings from the Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Jewish community as well as the Humanists as Dr Kevin Malone read of the trees whose greenness is a kind of grief.
Twenty two candles of varying colours were lit on the altar, made from using the wax of the many thousands that were left in St Ann’s Square a year ago while the Dean lit a single candle to represent all those who remain behind,bereaved family and friends, those physical or physchologically injured, the first respondents and the volunteers as well as those who supported the community in its recovery.
”Go forth into the world in peace, be of good courage, hold fast that which is good and render to no one evil for evil” said the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu as the service came to a close.
Manchester is healing be it slowly
