A little late, I know, things have not been as well as expected in our household, the Bishop has provided a Meditation for the 25th of April, which was ANZAC day. And I thought a little history would not go astray before the Meditation is added here.
Anzac Day history
Last updated: 23 January 2020
The Anzac tradition—the ideals of courage, endurance and mateship that are still relevant today—was established on 25 April 1915 when the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula
It was the start of a campaign that lasted eight months and resulted in some 25,000 Australian casualties, including 8,700 who were killed or died of wounds or disease.
The men who served on the Gallipoli Peninsula created a legend, adding the word ‘Anzac’ to our vocabulary and creating the notion of the Anzac spirit.
In 1916, the first anniversary of the landing was observed in Australia, New Zealand and England and by troops in Egypt. That year, 25 April was officially named ‘Anzac Day’ by the Acting Prime Minister, George Pearce.
By the 1920s, Anzac Day ceremonies were held throughout Australia. All States had designated Anzac Day as a public holiday. In the 1940s, Second World War veterans joined parades around the country. In the ensuing decades, returned servicemen and women from the conflicts in Korea, Malaya, Indonesia, Vietnam and Iraq, veterans from allied countries and peacekeepers joined the parades.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the number of people attending the ceremonies fell as Australians questioned the relevance of Anzac Day. However, in the 1990s there was a resurgence of interest in Anzac Day, with attendances, particularly by young people, increasing across Australia and with many making the pilgrimage to the Gallipoli Peninsula to attend the Dawn Service…………..(…)Anzac Day history | Department of Veterans’ Affairs (dva.gov.au) – more here.
Meditation
” … if a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest … “
JOHN 12 : 23 – 28
ANZAC Day Liturgy
April 25, 2022
Eastertide Greetings dear Friends, Companions, CustodianGuardians of Wells Near, Far and Emerging
How are you? What a lovely Season of the year it is at present …!
• REFLECTION/MEDITATION …
… And we pause on this, our National Day, and reflect on what it means to be Australian:
Pope Francis has written, ‘ … to change the world for the better it is necessary to do good to those who are not able to return the favour … doing good without expecting anything in return … (doing) good and (carrying) on … ‘
No greater love.
Today we remember the heroism and courage of Australians and New Zealanders who sacrificed their lives in the fields of battle.
We remember all of the civilians of war and conflict.
Their voices pierce the silence, echoing the longing for the day when justice will flourish and there will be the fullness of peace for ever.
Spend some quiet time with the Risen Lord …
Source Notes
~ Magnificat
~ St Pauls Sunday Missal
• REMEMBERING …
… those who have gone before us
- Evelyn York (Kensington) recently deceased ; dear family member of Irish Relatives, friend of Sean, Valmae and dear ones in Sydney
- Tony Ikin (Cobbity) recently deceased
- recent Anniversaries of Loved Ones, Families
- ANZACs and those caught up in war torn parts of the World
- all civilians of Conflict
- all victims of International and National Violence, especially women
… those International and National Leaders that they may use their Positions to engage meaningfully in the peaceful resolution of Conflict
… those in need of healing prayer
- those who see the taking up of arms as the only way to resolve conflict
- post-traumatic wounded folk, in mind, body and spirit
… those celebrating a life milestone
… those who give thanks for an unexpected blessing bestowed
… any Special Intention
- our Orthodox Sisters and Brothers, as they celebrate their Easter
- our Jewish Sisters and Brothers, as they celebrate the blessings of Pesach/Passover
- our Sisters and Brothers of Islam as they celebrate the Holy Month of Ramadan
- our National/State Leaders/Leadership Teams as they prepare for the May 21 National Election
Autumn Blessings
++ Peter
S/G CoHopeCommunitySydney/Wells of Hope
A/B ACoAntioch
oOo
” … Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia … ! “
~ Eastertide Liturgies
oOo