Easter Day - The Sunday of the Resurrection at CCC

The Celebrations of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019, at Christ Church Cathedral (CCC) were truly memorable. They would be the last Easter Sunday liturgies celebrated at CCC, Vancouver by current Dean of the Diocese and Rector of the Cathedral, the Very Reverend Peter Elliott, DD as he will retire September 30, 2019. Dean Elliott’s husband, Thomas Roach, ODNW who is largely responsible for liturgical art and liturgical production at the Cathedral will also be bidding farewell to the congregation. The liturgies were a feast for the eyes, ears and spirit.

Following the 2 hour and 20 minute Great Vigil of Easter liturgy that began at 5:30am, Archbishop Skelton who presided at all three Easter morning liturgies greeted the family who would be presenting Grace for baptism during the 8am Holy Communion with Holy Baptism and Renewal of Baptismal Vows. Baby Grace was incredibly cheerful and well-behaved and there was a lot of joy in the Cathedral nave as the Holy Spirit was present “who teaches us and leads us into all truth.”

The preacher for the 8am service was the Venerable Philippa Segrave-Pride, Assistant to the Rector at Christ Church Cathedral. She preached about baptism and shared some novel ideas about approaches to baptism that could be considered. Archdeacon Segrave-Pride's sermon is available by following this link.

The principle Sung Eucharist celebrated at 10:30am on Easter Sunday is always a full house. This year the nave was full by 9:45, the chancel and narthex at capacity by about 10:10. Although there was a huge crowd most of whom arrived early the Cathedral greeting teams did an exemplary job of helping people find seats and more importantly making everyone feel welcome.

The liturgy began with the Touch of Brass Quintet located with Cathedral Choir in the south end organ loft playing an Easter Fanfare, this was followed by a gorgeous acapella version of This Joyful Eastertide the well-known Dutch Carol sung by Cathedral Choir under the direction of Organist and Director of Music, Rupert Lang. Following the introit Archbishop Skelton presided over a Celebration of Baptism and as choir and congregation sang Christ the Lord is Risen Today, all four priests sprinkled the worshippers in the sanctuary with Holy Water as a reminder of their baptism.

The preacher for the liturgy was Dean Peter Elliott. This would be his last Easter homily at CCC as dean and rector, a fact that was known to many of the worshippers present that morning. However, Dean Elliott did not dwell in the past or enter into retrospection instead he celebrated the present at CCC, giving a number of examples of the parish’s growth in mission, ministry and service to the community. He is optimistic about the future of CCC and believes the parish will go from strength to strength. Dean Peter’s homily is available by following this link.

The music in liturgy was wonderful, and the entire service was a joyful celebration of new life, the new life that is offered to us all in the risen Christ.  

IMAGES

8am

• The Eucharistic Prayer at the 8am Holy Communion service
• One of Grace's dads prepares to hand her over to Archbishop Skelton for baptism
• MC Megan Otton pours the water in the Font
• Grace about to be passed to the archbishop
• Grace is baptized
• Member of CCC's 8am congregation Christine Dryvynsyde reads the OT; Isaiah 65: 17-25
• Deacon of the Word and Table, the Reverend Jeffrey Preiss proclaims the Gospel, Luke 24: 1-12
• The preacher, the Venerable Philippa Segrave-Pride
• Archbishop Skelton gets a photo of Grace
• An Easter Day Selfie

10:30am

• At 9:45am, Deacon of the Word and Table for the Eucharist, the Reverend Alisdair Smith and Archbishop Skelton review the liturgy
• Dean Peter Elliott looks over his sermon notes
• Just after 10am the sanctuary is nearing capacity
• The nave is full
• Warden, Emily Pritchard with the pre-worship announcements
• Archbishop Skelton offers Opening Prayers
• Dean Elliott, Server, Richard MacAlpine and worshippers in the chancel choir stalls during the Opening Prayers
• The clergy begin to circulate around the sanctuary sprinkling the congregation with Holy Water (Asperges)
• Archbishop Skelton blesses the congregation
• Dean Peter Elliott blesses the congregation
• Holly MacMillan reads the OT; Isaiah 65: 17-25
• David MacMillan shares the Epistle, Acts 10: 34-35
• A full cohort of Cathedral Choir lead the Sequence Hymn, Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain
• The Gospel procession begins
• Rev. Smith is in place to proclaim the Gospel Luke 24: 1-12
• Dean Elliott preaching
• Intercessor, Hugh Alley.