Bishop Clarke will challenge Christian leaders in St Patrick’s address
The theme of the 2013 St Patrick’s Day celebrations at Down Cathedral is, “Christian Character” and the guest speaker will be the Mission Director of SAMS UK & Ireland, Bishop Ken Clarke.
In his address Bishop Clarke will use Proverbs 4:23 as his text: “Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”. Using Patrick as an example and inspiration he will address Christian leaders, urging them to live with integrity and purity and to usher in ‘a new wave of mission and Christian service,’ on our island. “This,” he will say, “can be a life–changing day”.
Church–based uniformed organisations make a valuable contribution to the development of character in our young people. This year members of the Church Girls’ Brigade, Church Lads’ Brigade, Guides and Boys’ Brigade will form a guard of honour for the arrival of the pilgrimage and ahead of the wreath laying ceremony.
For the first time we are delighted to welcome the Psalm Drummers, part of a worldwide network of Christian drummers and percussionists, who will participate in the Festival Service. Regular contributors, The Sullivan Irish Music Group, will welcome pilgrims in the Cathedral narthex and also play during lunch in the marquee.
The annual St Patrick’s Day event, which is organized by The Church of Ireland Diocese of Down and Dromore, gathers hundreds of visitors, from Ireland and abroad. It begins with a service of Holy Communion at Saul Church, followed by a pilgrimage to Down Cathedral. The pilgrims are greeted by a bagpiper at the bottom of the Mall then piped to the Cathedral doors and into the Festival Service. After the service, a wreath is laid at St Patrick’s grave by local ministers of all denominations before lunch is served to invited guests in the Cathedral grounds.
Click here for the programme timings.