A reflective service on the eve of the 80th anniversary of VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) was held In Leicester Cathedral on Thursday (14 August).
The occasion was attended by a congregation including civic dignitaries and esteemed military guests representing the city and county, marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day and the end of the Second World War - which came just days after the devastating atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Led by Revd Canon Alison Adams, Canon Pastor and Bishop Saju Muthalaly, Bishop of Loughborough, the service included thoughtful liturgy, prayer, poetry and music, offering a quiet and powerful tribute to those affected by the war and its aftermath.
Those in attendance, including members of the general public, were invited to pause and consider the ongoing instability of the world, the continued proliferation of nuclear weapons, and the deep and enduring need for peace.
Retired Colonel Anthony Swallow OBE laid a wreath in memory of those who suffered and died in the Far East Campaign, while peace lilies were laid on the altar by the Lord-Lieutenants’ Cadets.
Among those who spoke was the Lord Lieutenant, Mr. Mike Kapur OBE, CStJ, who read extracts from King George VI’s speech on VJ day in 1945.
He said: “It is vital that we remember the past in order to build a more peaceful future.”
You can read the full order of service, including information about the local context in Leicestershire and Rutland, and a reflection written by Canon Emma Davies after visiting Japan a few months ago, here.
