A ‘majestic’ Jubilee celebration at Down Cathedral
Down Cathedral resounded with brass, organ and choir in a majestic celebration of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee on Saturday 2 June.
The service, in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant of County Down, was attended by people from all over the diocese of Down and Dromore at the invitation of Dean Henry Hull. They joined Bishop Harold Miller, local politicians and clergy to honour 60 years of a reign marked by service and constancy.
Lady Christine Eames addressed a full cathedral, and spoke with warmth of a Queen who has reigned sustained by a sincere Christian faith, “that is at the centre of her living.”
Speaking about the personal qualities that have become the qualities of her monarchy, Lady Eames highlighted the Queen’s, “service, the dignity she has brought to the role, her acute sense of duty, her sincerity and her constancy. “
“She has a deep knowledge of her role as monarch, she continued, “a deep knowledge – not just of the affairs of state of this country – but throughout the world.”
Dean Hull led the service and organist Michael McCracken conducted a specially assembled group of singers and musicians. They sang two anthems – Parry’s, “I was glad when they said unto me”, and the coronation anthem, “Zadok the Priest”. Congregational hymns reflected the four parts of the United Kingdom with tunes including “Jerusalem” and “Cwm Rhondda”.
The service also included personal accounts of the Coronation Day in 1952. Olly Stapleton, recalled standing in the rain watching the procession and being very moved when she saw the Queen. “I suddenly realised,” she said, “that she wasn’t just the Queen, she was my Queen or our Queen, and that has stayed with me the rest of my life.”
Thanks to a family friend, Daphne Hamill was fortunate enough to watch from a window at the War Office overlooking Whitehall. She recalled, among other things, the petite figure of the Queen and the white paint running from the Marines’ hats onto their uniforms in the rain.
As an 18 year–old, David Bloomer arrived in London in the company of his Uncle, the Bishop of Carlisle. He saw the Coronation procession from outside Buckingham Palace and later wrote an account for the Armagh Gazette which he read out to the congregation.
Finally, Canon Sean Rogan, parish priest of St Patrick’s, shared the personal significance of the Queen’s anointing with oil at the coronation service.
Each worshipper received a special Jubilee edition of the New Testament – a reflection of the fact that at the coronation the Queen was given a Bible described as “the most valuable gift” she would ever receive.
Although sunny when the service began, the weather turned much colder at the end of the afternoon and only a brave handful had their picnics on the lawn. They included Ella and Bertie Wilkinson from St Columba’s, Knock, who will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary this year on 26 August. Congratulations on a diamond achievement!
See some photos in the gallery here.