Army chaplains have joined York Minster clergy to make a virtual service commemorating the 75th Anniversary of VE Day.
The contributors recorded their audio-visual segments in lockdown using smartphones.
These were then edited and the finished service will be uploaded to the York Minster website on the anniversary tomorrow (Friday, 8 May) – and shared via the Minster’s social media channels.
The service is led by Canon Victoria Johnson, canon precentor at the Minster. She said:
Lockdown will make it impossible for communities to come together to mark VE Day 75 – an important milestone in our country’s history.
We hope that this virtual service will provide people with a spiritual space to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of the wartime generation and, at this particular time, to reflect on the courage, professionalism and commitment of everyone working to keep us safe from Covid-19.
The Revd Richard Hall, Chaplain to the 2nd Signal Regiment based in York, offers a short reflection in the service, which marks 75 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.
The prayers are led by the Revd David Barrett, Assistant Chaplain General, 1st United Kingdom Division.
Music comes from the York Minster Choir.