29 October 2009
Media Release
Commemorating the Fallen and Praying for Peace
St Matthew-in-the-City hosts 91st Remembrance Day

Sunday, November 8 is the 91st commemoration of the end of WWI. Lest the cost of war fade from our collective memories, we will remember those who have served our country on war-torn battlefields and will celebrate those who are fighting for peace today.

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month is Armistice Day, or Remembrance Day as it is known in New Zealand. We celebrate it on the nearest Sunday.

Diplomatic and government dignitaries, military units, members of the Royal NZ Returned Services Association and all who wish to honour and give thanks for past and present New Zealand service personnel will gather on Sunday, 8 November at St Matthew-in-the-City for a service of remembrance. Preceded by a military parade at 11am down Hobson Street, the service, led by the Vicar, Archdeacon Glynn Cardy, will begin at 11:30am.

Auckland City Councilor Greg Moyle, representing the City of Auckland, will give the welcome and Professor Kevin P. Clements, Director of the NZ Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Otago, will be the keynote speaker. Special music will be provided by the Auckland Youth Choir conducted by Rostislava Pankova–Karadjov and the Royal NZ Artillery Band conducted by WO1 Dennis Schofield. A light luncheon will follow the service, kindly donated by Sandra Fahey of Sandra’s Catering.

On the first anniversary of the Armistice between the Allies and Germany, 11 November 1919, a two minute silence was introduced as part of the main commemorative ceremony in London. King George V had personally requested all the people of the British Empire to suspend normal activities for two minutes on the hour of the Armistice. Two minutes’ silence was popularly adopted and it became a central feature of commemorations on Armistice Day.

After the Second World War, Britain and her Dominions, including New Zealand, agreed to change the name and date of Armistice Day to Remembrance Day, now to be observed on the second Sunday in November.

ENDS

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