The Cathedral Church of Saint German, Peel saw today a Celebration of Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Attended by the Chief Minister, the President of Tynwald and the Speaker along with Her Majesty's Representative the Lieutenant Governor.
Many of the Chairs of Commissioners, the Mayor of Douglas and other community representatives too were in attendance as the Cathedral Choir led the Licensed Readers, Ecumenical Guests, the Diocesan Clergy, the Vicar General, Registrar, Archdeacon and the Bishop in procession down the aisle of the newly lit and decorated Cathedral.
After the singing of the Royal Anthem and the Processional Hymn, 'Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation' the service continued with a call to worship led by Bishop Robert and Prayers led by the Chaplain to the Speaker, the Reverend Bill Martin.
Readings from Scripture were given by the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister before the only recently-formed, Coronation Singers delivered to the congregation, 'Zadok the Priest' written by Handel and a firm favourite piece of Her Majesty.
Bishop Robert then preached the sermon before the Cathedral Choir sang the anthem, 'O taste and see', by R Vaughan Williams. Prayers were then offered by the Methodist Chair of District for the Isle of Man, the Reverend Malcolm Peacock and the Dean of the Roman Catholic Church, Fr Philip Gillespie.
The final hymn, 'Lord for the years' was sung heartily by the congregation before Bishop Robert gave the blessing and the National Anthem was sung.
Following the procession all those present gathered on the Cathedral steps before gathering in the Corrin Hall where the Lieutenant Governor celebrated by cutting a special Jubilee Cake baked and decorated by Mrs Quirk.
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