St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds marks Holocaust Memorial Day with service and talk
A cathedral honoured Holocaust Memorial Day with a ‘humbling’ service and talk to remember those killed during genocide.
St Edmundsbury Cathedral held the special service in the Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds this morning, with a theme of ordinary people, and the reading of a powerful Ukrainian poem.
Staff from the cathedral and public joined the occasion with pupils from two schools to remember the victims of genocide.
The Rev Canon Matthew Vernon, canon pastor of St Edmundsbury Cathedral, said: “We’re not surprised by the turnout today because this is my 14th time doing this now and we’ve had this number before as it grows each year. We did 200 service sheets and they’ve all been used up which is really encouraging.
“It broadens our awareness of what happened in history, all the terrible facts and the countries that were affected.
“We will do this forever and we want to keep this commitment going every year.”
County High School Chamber Choir and Benjamin Britten Choir of Guildhall Feoffment School contributed with songs and readings, as Alina Sabat also read out a Ukrainian poem.
Canon Vernon added: "We were delighted to hear from her and to have that contribution at this point with what’s happening in the world. To hear the words in Ukrainian was really poignant and powerful as well."
Rev Sarah Geileskey said: “It’s always really profound bringing together all sorts of different people and you realise that there’s more that unites you than divides you when you gather for an occasion like this.
“We’re aware the world is becoming increasingly divided and so there are many of us that know it’s not a happy and healthy way to live. So I feel people are increasingly drawn to this in an act of solidarity with one another."
The theme for this year's Holocaust Memorial Day is ordinary people, as ordinary people were perpetrators, bystanders, rescuers, witnesses and victims.
During the service, people remembered the Holocaust and other genocides, such as those in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
Bernie Millard, 84, vice-chairman of the Royal British Legion Bury St Edmunds branch, said: “This is the second service I’ve been to after I attended last year as chairman and I find it quite humbling.
“It’s one of the rare events where all of the horrors and terrors of what went on in World War Two plus what is happening now, is all brought into focus. It was freezing cold this morning but it didn’t matter."
“Hopefully people will not forget this and our actions in the future will be geared in their memory from what we’ve experienced on things like today.
Ian Shipp, Mildenhall mayor, was also in attendance with other councillors from the region.
Mr Shipp said: “I’m absolutely honoured to represent Mildenhall here today, it has been a super turnout by a diverse mix of people too which has been really brilliant to see.”
