Press Release: 500th Anniversary of the Reformation
CHRIST CHURCH ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL IN VICTORIA SALUTES 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF LUTHERAN REFORMATION WITH DAY-LONG OBSERVATION OF REFORMATION SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29TH
October 11, 2017
For Immediate Release
It was on October 31, 1517, that German monk Martin Luther sent his 95 Theses to the Archbishop of Mainz and, tradition has it, nailed them to the door of All Saints Church in Wittenberg, thereby launching what we now know as the Protestant Reformation, and initiating a half millennium of tumultuous change for all Christian denominations.
Reformation Sunday, the last Sunday in October, is traditionally a time to mark the anniversary, and this year’s observances are particularly momentous. Christ Church Cathedral is playing its part by organizing a full day of liturgy, music and spoken presentations, all of which are open to everyone.
The day begins with a Breakfast Forum at 9:15 am in the Cathedral’s Chapter Room. The speaker will be Ray Schultz, retired former National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and former Bishop of its BC Synod. His topic will be “The Gifts of the Reformation.” At a 10:30 combined service, Bishop Schultz will preach and preside, following the rites of the Lutheran Church. (The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada are in full communion with each other.)
All three of the Cathedral’s choirs will be part of the day’s activities. The Parish Choir will sing at the morning Eucharist. At 2 pm, St. Christopher Singers will perform a short concert of motets and Lutheran chorales, reflecting the musical influence of the Reformation in the German states. The program also includes organ arrangements of chorale tunes played by the Cathedral’s Director of Music, Donald Hunt.
Following the concert, there will be a brief, informative talk about “Luther and Music” by Karen Johnson-Lefsrud. Karen is an ordained Lutheran pastor and experienced church musician, who serves as Executive Director of Luther Court Society in Victoria. In 2008, she was named a Companion of the Worship Arts.
After a short break and light refreshments, the day will conclude at 4:30 with a service of Choral Evensong, featuring music of the English Reformation by Byrd, Weelkes and Gibbons, sung by the Cathedral Choir. The Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Reverend M. Ansley Tucker, will be the officiant.
Folk of every denomination – or of none – are cordially invited to attend any or all of the day’s rich and varied offerings.
For further information:
Christ Church Cathedral
930 Burdett Street, Victoria BC V8V 3G8
250.383.2714