Cathedrals march celebrates 'Mersey miracle'
Paul BurnellA march between two of a city's cathedrals on Pentecost Sunday will celebrate an event know as the 'Mersey miracle'.
Liverpool's Two Cathedrals March, from 15:00 BST to 17:00, has its origins in the visit of Pope John Paul II to the city in 1982.
His trip began at the Anglican cathedral before he was driven down Hope Street in the Popemobile to the Roman Catholic cathedral amid cheering crowds of all denominations. However, protests were held by some hardline protestant groups.
Three years later, Merseyside's Christians leaders, Anglican Bishop David Sheppard and Catholic Archbishop Derek Worlock, ended generations of sectarian bitterness with a covenant pledging to overcome "scandalous" divisions.
The act of reconciliation, dubbed the Mersey miracle, is marked annually with the march.
GettyWhat is Pentecost?
Described as "the birthday of the Church" Christians say Pentecost took place when the followers of Jesus Christ who had been in hiding since his crucifixion were "emboldened by the power of God" to go onto the streets of Jerusalem and preach that he had risen from the dead, winning 3,000 converts in one day.
Pentecost in Judaism, known as Shavuot or the Feast of Weeks, is a major biblical festival celebrating the wheat harvest and the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses at Mount Sinai, exactly 50 days after Passover.
Christians celebrate Pentecost 50 days after Easter.
Monsignor Anthony O'Brien, dean at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, said: "The story of Pentecost tells us that when the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke to the crowds, people from many different backgrounds were still able to understand the message.
"We would love to welcome people from different cultures and traditions to join us in unity as we walk between the two cathedrals and celebrate Pentecost together."
Where and when does it start?
People from the churches of the Liverpool City Region will gather at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral from 14:30 BST with the Salvation Army band playing music. After a short time of prayer and singing led by the joint cathedrals' choirs, the walk begins at 15:00 heading along Hope Street to the Anglican cathedral.
They will walk with banners and musicians down the half mile (800m) length of Hope Street which organisers say is an appropriate name for the road.
The final part of the service sees an opportunity for chatting to stall holders with children's games and refreshments afterwards at Liverpool Cathedral.
What is this year's theme?
Merseyside Churches Together.The theme for this year's march is "Many Voices - One Faith". The march finishes at the Anglican Cathedral with family-friendly activities and numerous stalls from local charities advertising their work.
The stalls - which were an innovation last year - will focus on the Manifesto for Hope launched in November by Merseyside's churches.
The document outlines "a vision for the City Region that transcends mere political ideology and allegiances, that does not seek to blame so much as inspire and enable her citizens to work for the common good, that measures success in more than simply economics but rather against issues of human well-being and flourishing".
Do groups need to register and is there a charge?
There is no charge and organisers extend an open invitation with everyone welcome to participate with "people from all cultures and traditions" encouraged to join.
Parking is available at either cathedral. The most convenient coach drop-off and pick-up point is at Liverpool Cathedral, which is especially helpful at the end of the walk.
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