Blessing of the Army and Regimental Flags after placing them near the altar with prayer sessions of ‘dedication and reconciliation’, took place Thursday (4) evening, to a packed congregation at All Saints Church, Borella, Colombo 8 as one more major religious segment of the Army’s series of 63rd Anniversary commemorative arrangements.
The special ‘Commemoration and Thanksgiving Service’, coloured with hymns of all three major languages, prayed for the Nation, Serving Soldiers and their families, Retired Soldiers and families, Injured Soldiers and families, accompanied by ‘Remembrance of the Dead’ with the hymn ‘Thou Passes Through’. The day’s event, unlike in past years attracted a huge gathering of spouses of many senior officers, adding colourfulness to the occasion.
Soon after the arrival of the Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army, together with his spouse, Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, the day’s special service to bless the forthcoming 63rd Army Anniversary and Army Day (October 10), got underway with an introduction, delivered to the occasion by Rev Father Noel Dias.
As the rhythmic hymn ‘Onward, Christian Soldiers’ and the Army Song began reverberating, marching in of Army flag bearers, commenced for placing of flags near the altar for blessings. Rt Rev Dr Cletus Perera, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese, Ratnapura invoked blessings on Army flags. A special blessing afterwards was invoked on the Commander of the Army, Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, All Ranks and families of the Army at the same service.
The year’s ‘Commemoration and Thanksgiving Service’, organized by Army Christian Fellowship represented all schools of Christian faith and was officiated by highly respected clergy, including Rt Rev Dr Cletus Perera, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese Ratnapura, Rev Fr Noel Dias, Chaplain of Army Christian Fellowship, Rev Fr Felician Perera, Parish Priest, All Saints Church, Borella, Rev Fr Joseph Benedict, St Aloysius Seminary, Borella, Rev E.K Yasarathne (Baptist Church), Rev Rohitha de Silva (Methodist Church) and Rev Lenin John Marshell (Anglican Church).
Clergy conducting the service extolled the Army’s continuing commendable roles in the field of country’s development and nation-building. The holy Mass prayed for Dedication with the hymn, ‘Our lives are a stewardship in your sight...... our military days’ and the souls of all fallen and missing War Heroes.
Towards the end of the special service, Lieutenant General Jayasuriya, in appreciation of the religious services, being rendered by the Church for promotion of spiritual values, made a symbolic financial contribution to the clergy on behalf of the Army.
A few past Commanders of the Army, Principal Staff Officers, Directors, Senior Officers, Chairman, Army Christian Fellowship, representatives of all Regiments and other ranks attended the day’s congregation.
The special ‘Commemoration and Thanksgiving Service’, coloured with hymns of all three major languages, prayed for the Nation, Serving Soldiers and their families, Retired Soldiers and families, Injured Soldiers and families, accompanied by ‘Remembrance of the Dead’ with the hymn ‘Thou Passes Through’. The day’s event, unlike in past years attracted a huge gathering of spouses of many senior officers, adding colourfulness to the occasion.
Soon after the arrival of the Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army, together with his spouse, Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, the day’s special service to bless the forthcoming 63rd Army Anniversary and Army Day (October 10), got underway with an introduction, delivered to the occasion by Rev Father Noel Dias.
As the rhythmic hymn ‘Onward, Christian Soldiers’ and the Army Song began reverberating, marching in of Army flag bearers, commenced for placing of flags near the altar for blessings. Rt Rev Dr Cletus Perera, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese, Ratnapura invoked blessings on Army flags. A special blessing afterwards was invoked on the Commander of the Army, Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, All Ranks and families of the Army at the same service.
The year’s ‘Commemoration and Thanksgiving Service’, organized by Army Christian Fellowship represented all schools of Christian faith and was officiated by highly respected clergy, including Rt Rev Dr Cletus Perera, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese Ratnapura, Rev Fr Noel Dias, Chaplain of Army Christian Fellowship, Rev Fr Felician Perera, Parish Priest, All Saints Church, Borella, Rev Fr Joseph Benedict, St Aloysius Seminary, Borella, Rev E.K Yasarathne (Baptist Church), Rev Rohitha de Silva (Methodist Church) and Rev Lenin John Marshell (Anglican Church).
Clergy conducting the service extolled the Army’s continuing commendable roles in the field of country’s development and nation-building. The holy Mass prayed for Dedication with the hymn, ‘Our lives are a stewardship in your sight...... our military days’ and the souls of all fallen and missing War Heroes.
Towards the end of the special service, Lieutenant General Jayasuriya, in appreciation of the religious services, being rendered by the Church for promotion of spiritual values, made a symbolic financial contribution to the clergy on behalf of the Army.
A few past Commanders of the Army, Principal Staff Officers, Directors, Senior Officers, Chairman, Army Christian Fellowship, representatives of all Regiments and other ranks attended the day’s congregation.
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