This Thursday (Nov 14) marks the anniversary of the Coventry Blitz.
In November 1940, the Cathedral Church of St. Michael was bombed into a ruined shell of a building out of which it became an international symbol of peace and hope.
In the aftermath of that terrible night there were two choices – revenge or forgiveness. Provost Howard’s response to the destruction of the Cathedral was one of immediate forgiveness and of rebuilding the Cathedral as a beacon of hope for the future, a message which continues to this day.
Coventry Cathedral will mark this year’s Remembrance and Blitz season with a programme of events and services across November including a : ‘Moonlight Sonata’ Exhibition until the end of the month.
This Thursday there will be a Solemn Evensong on the 84th Anniversary of the Coventry Blitz followed by a Remembrance Day Vigil.
Reverend Mary Gregory, Canon for Arts and Reconciliation of Coventry Cathedral said:
“November is a really important time here at Coventry Cathedral, as we gather for Remembrance Sunday and Remembrance Day, and that lies at the heart of the month.
“But for Coventry as well we have another really important date, the 14th of November when we remember the Coventry Blitz.
“And so at Coventry Cathedral we treat the whole of November as a season of remembering and reconciliation and we have lots of really rich events that we want to invite you to.”
