Prayers, special services and bellringing mark D-Day eightieth anniversary

Cathedrals are at the guts of commemorations to mark the eightieth anniversary of D-Day, when soldiers from the US, UK, Canada, and other Allied nations landed on Normandy beach under a barrage of gunfire to interrupt Hitler’s grip on Europe.

The Normandy landings on 6 June 1944 were the biggest seaborne invasion in history and a turning point in World War II. Thousands of Allied soldiers were killed. 

The soldiers who stormed Hitler’s Atlantic Wall battlements against huge odds are being remembered with events across the UK and other Allied nations. 

Portsmouth Cathedral, in town that was the fundamental departure point for British troops heading to Normandy, led the eightieth anniversary commemorations with a special service broadcast live to tell the tale BBC Radio 4 last Sunday. Today its choir is singing on the D-Day Stone Remembrance Service in town’s Southsea area.

“The service provides a moment for reflection and gratitude, ensuring that the legacy of those that fought and died isn’t forgotten,” the cathedral said. 

Canterbury, Winchester and Coventry are among the many cathedrals hosting commemorative Evensongs.

Coventry Cathedral has spent many years engaging in peace and reconciliation work after becoming the one English cathedral to be destroyed within the Second World War. It was rebuilt and the cathedral committed itself to forging recent relationships with German cities. It is marking the anniversary with a special Choral Evensong on Thursday. 

Rev Mary Gregory, Canon for Arts and Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral, said: “In this special Evensong, we are going to remember all those that risked a lot for the liberty of others and can pray for those caught up in conflicts today who still await their freedom.

“In a spot which is understood the world over as an icon of peace, we are going to pray for the top of conflict and the reconciliation of enemies through constructing a culture of justice and peace.”

Throughout Thursday, Canterbury Cathedral is running mini World War II-themed talks that may share how brave firefighters saved the cathedral from bombing. 

St Edmundsbury Cathedral’s special Evensong service today is being held in partnership with the Royal British Legion and might be attended by veterans and lively military personnel from Suffolk.

Wreaths might be laid by the Lord Lieutenant, Lady Clare Euston, and three military representatives. Royal Marine Veteran Tony Hensby, who vividly remembers seeing the skies filled with planes heading for Normandy as a 14 12 months old boy, will read the poignant wartime poem, ‘Normandy’.

The Very Rev Joe Hawes, Dean of St Edmundsbury, said: “An entire generation gave all the things for us to live in freedom and we mustn’t ever forget their sacrifice; those that never got here home, those that did, and those that remained to maintain us going through conflict.

“The Normandy landings on 6 June 1944 saw bravery and determination that turned the tide of the Second World War. With our service, we honour all those involved.”

At 6:30pm church and cathedral bells across the nation will ring out as a part of the National Bellringing for Peace initiative. 

Salisbury Cathedral has published this special prayer for use together with the anniversary: 

God our refuge and strength,
as we remember those
who faced danger and death in Normandy,
eighty years ago,
grant us courage to pursue what is true,
the need to work with others,
and strength to beat tyranny and oppression,
through Jesus Christ,
to whom belong dominion and glory,
now and for ever.
Amen.