Halifax Minster will be bathed in red light this weekend to mark special Remembrance services that will see German soldiers parade alongside the Royal British Legion and Yorkshire regiments to mark the historic anniversary of the First World War.
Halifax has been twinned with Aachen, Germany for over 65 years, and so in the centenary of WW1 it was an opportunity for the churches to meet, pray and remember together for Remembrance weekend. And floodlights will mark this historic occasion when German soldiers with German Standards will parade alongside the Royal British Legion, he Duke of Wellington Association and the Yorkshire Regiment on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
The German Delegation include representatives of the German Lutheran Church from the Aachen Synod; the Vice Mayor of Aachen, an MP from the Bundestag; members of the twinning committee, and a Color Party from the German MOD from the Garrisons surrounding Aachen, the German Consulate from the German Embassy.
On Saturday there will be a WW1 Commemoration event with music performed by Halifax Choral Society and the Minster Choirs, with readings and prose from the WW1 poets.
On Sunday there will be the Civic Services at the Cenotaph (10.45) followed by a service in the Minster at 11.15am.
Canon Hilary Barber, the Vicar of Halifax Minster said: “It says something about the generosity of Yorkshire people, who overcoming feelings of hurt and bitterness after two World Wars and have grown through this twinning relationship to come together for this unique anniversary and occasion.
“And whilst some people won’t approve, the people of Halifax are willing to take risks of friendship and forgiveness, as they strive to make a better and safer world for the future generations of Europe,” he said.
The invitation to the German MOD was a joint invitation from Bishop Tony Robinson and the Mayor of Calderdale.
This is just one of many Remembrance Services planned across the diocese over the weekend.
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