GOOD FRIDAY SERVICES IN CHRISTCHURCH CHURCHES

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28257, 20 April 1957, Page 14

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICES IN CHRISTCHURCH CHURCHES

The Crucifixion and its relevance to the world today was the theme of the Service of the Three Hours which was the main devotional observance of Good Friday in the Christchurch Cathedral yesterday. The service was conducted by the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. Martin Sullivan), who gave seven addresses on seven words of the Cross, with hymns and prayers in between the addresses. There was a big congregation throughout the service. In the morning, the Litany and Ante-communion were conducted by the Dean. Canon W. A. Orange was the preacher at matins, at which the Bishop (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren) read the lesson.

Canon Orange took aS his text, “Except a com of wheat fall into the ground and die it abideth alone, but if it die it bringeth forth fruit.”

The Reach of the Divine Mercy was observed at the evening service and meditation was sung by the choir. Solemn Liturgy

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch (the Most Rev. E. M. Joyce) was the celebrant at the Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament yesterday afternoon. He was assisted by the Very Rev. Father T. Liddy, Administrator of the Cathedral. The Passion according to St. John was solemnly chanted by three deacons and the occasional sermon was preached by the Very Rev. Father Basil Blake, S.M., rector of St. Bede’s College. Father Blake spoke on the significance of Good Friday, making special reference to the forgiveness by Christ of his enemies. The master of ceremonies for the liturgy was the Rev. Father P. Cahill. The cathedral was crowded. In the evening the Solemn Stations of the Cross were led by Bishop Joyce. United Service

For the first time a united Good Friday service, at which three denominations were represented, was held in St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, Cashmere Hills, last evening. The Anglican, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches

have previously combined for Lenten services, but not before for Good Friday observances. The address was given by the Rev. M. W. Wilson, minister of Knox Presbyterian Church, and the service was conducted by the vicar of St. Augustine’s (the Rev. Q. R. Bambury). The Rev. G. D. Falloon, of the Cashmere Hills Presbyterian Church, read the lesson, and Intercession was conducted by the Rev. J. A. Penman, of the Methodist Church. At the Durham Street Methodist Church, the minister, the Rev. Ashleigh K. Fetch, conducted a combined service in the morning at which the preacher was the Rev. M. R. Hodder. After the service the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was observed. A Passiontide service and Meditation on the Cross were held at the church in the evening.

The Rev. M. A. Wilson was the preacher at a Good Friday service held at the Knox Presbyterian Church. Mr Wilson took as his theme the meaning of the Cross.

Special united Good Friday meetings were held in the Salvation Army Citadel in the morning, afternoon and evening. The theme of the meetings, which were conducted by LieutenantColonel Bicknell and Mrs Bicknell, was “A Day at the Cross.” Special Good Friday services were also held in other churches in Christchurch yesterday. Tonight Holy Saturday will be observed in the Christchurch Cathedral, with service of the Nine Lessons and Easter carols.