King attends service at Westminster Abbey celebrating Christian witness

Image: Westminster Abbey

Source: Westminster Abbey, ACN

His Majesty The King and faith leaders from across the UK and Middle East attended a candlelit service to celebrate Christian witness in Advent at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday.

In a personal message shared in the Order of Service, King Charles said: "It is a great joy to gather with you in the most glorious setting of Westminster Abbey as we celebrate the light, hope and, above all, the peace of this season of Advent. This period of preparation, of readying ourselves and looking forward to the wonder of Christ's birth. Today, we gather for prayer, reflection and music, and to celebrate the Good News in which all Christians rejoice: those around us, and those in areas where it is not easy to live out one's faith."

The service was led by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, who said in his Bidding: "As brothers and sisters in Christ, sharing a hope of the coming of God's kingdom we meet today in a royal church and on holy ground. We gather in penitence, acknowledging our need of grace and looking to the One who is our Saviour and Judge. We gather in Advent, looking, in the darkness of our times, for the light that cannot be overcome. We gather, as the churches of Christ, praying that we may be strengthened in faith and drew ever closer in love."

The Gospel was proclaimed by the Reverend Archdeacon Dr George Tsourous, Greek Orthodox Diocese of Thyateira and Great Britain.

The Address was given by Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe. The Cardinal told the story of Pierre Claverie OP, a Dominican who served as bishop of Oran in Algeria before he was one of 19 Christians murdered in 1996 by extremists. (All 19 were beatified in 2018)

Bishop Claverie was killed along with his Muslim driver Mohamed Bouchikhi who had remained loyal to him - and was later mourned by both Christians and Muslims.

Cardinal Radcliffe said Bishop Claverie pioneered dialogue and friendship between Christians and Muslims during the Algerian Civil War, working towards peaceful coexistence in an independent Algeria.

Even when his life was threatened in the war, he refused to leave the country, not wanting to leave his Muslim friends. After he was assassinated, hundreds of Muslims came to his funeral, and said that he was "the bishop of the Muslims".

Like the cross blooming, said Cardinal Radcliffe, "pointless violence flowered into friendship." He said, "Martyrs invite us to transcend the passivity of victimhood. They remind us that Christ is the beginning of the beginning."

Ribqa Nevash, from Faisalabad, Pakistan, who last year received Aid to the Church in Need (UK)'s Courage to be Christian Award for her advocacy, spoke passionately about the plight of persecuted Christians in Pakistan, with a particular focus on women and girls.

"As a Christian girl, I advocated for girls as young as 12 who are abducted, kidnapped and forced to marry and convert," Ribqa said.

"Many suffer sexual violence. Others are trapped in bonded labour, including working in brick kilns."

She recounted the threats faced by her family for speaking out and described the devastating mob attack on Christian homes and churches in Jaranwala district in 2023.

She said: "In just one day, 25 churches were desecrated and burned. Up to 2,000 people fled their burning houses. When I visited the next day, I started to cry. Everyone is still looking for justice."

Prayers were led by the Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon in Residence, and said by: The Right Reverend Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, The Coptic Church in Great Britain. His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas, Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain, His Grace Bishop Hovakim, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Great Britain and Ireland, The Most Reverend Hosam Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem. Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Miguel Maury Buendia, Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain and Bishop Paul McAleenan, were among the Catholic clergy in attendance.

The Reverend Helena Bickley-Percival, Minor Canon and Sacrist, chanted the Collect for Advent.

The Coptic Diocesan Choir sang The Virginal Birth, Hymn for the Nativity Feast; and the Choir of the Syriac Orthodox Church in London sang a traditional Syriac hymn.

The service was sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey, directed by Andrew Nethsingha, Organist & Master of the Choristers. The organ was played by Matthew Jorysz, Sub-Organist.

Fr Dominic Robinson, Ecclesiastical Assistant for Aid to the Church in Need told ICN after the service: "it was wonderful that so many different churches and church organisations like ACN could come together to raise awareness of these issues. The constant support of His Majesty the King is a real gift to the cause of those suffering for their faith."

LINKS

See the Order of Service: www.westminster-abbey.org/media/mavinw35/christian-witness-in-advent-oos.pdf

Persecution survivor gives testimony in front of the King: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/53908

Watch: King Charles arrives at Advent Service Westminster Abbey (Royal Family channel): www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjxiNFhIesA

Advent Liturgy at Westminster Abbey (Westminster Abbey channel): www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qU6JTsYzrs