Program — National commemorative ceremony in honour of His Royal Highness Prince Philip,  The Duke of Edinburgh

Christ Church Cathedral
Ottawa, Ontario
April 17, 2021
12:30 pm

Watch the ceremony

“His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has long embodied dignity, loyalty and service to others. […] Through his many visits to Canada, both on his own and with Her Majesty The Queen, he has shown his lasting concern for our country and for Canadians.”

Presentation of the insignia of Companion of the Order of Canada, April 26, 2013

OFFICIATING CELEBRANTS

The Right Reverend
Shane A. D. Parker
Bishop of the Anglican
Diocese of Ottawa

The Very Reverend
Elizabeth J. Bretzlaff
Dean of Ottawa and Rector
of Christ Church Cathedral

MUSICIANS

James Calkin
Christ Church Cathedral
Director of Music and Organist

Andrew McAnerney
Christ Church Cathedral
Associate Director of Music and Tenor

Stephanie Manias
Soprano

Order of Service

WORD OF WELCOME

Dean of Ottawa and Rector
of Christ Church Cathedral

INTROIT

The Kontakion of the Faithful Departed

Give rest, O Christ,
to your servants with your saints,
where sorrow and pain are no more,
neither sighing
but life everlasting.

You only are immortal,
the Creator and Maker of all;
and we are mortal,
formed of the earth,
and to earth shall we return.

For so did you ordain when you
created me, saying:
“You are dust, and to dust you
shall return.”
All of us go down to the dust;
yet even at the grave we make our song:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Stephanie Martin, a Canadian composer,
uses a modern translation and applies a beautiful choral setting to the ancient text
.

TRIBUTE

Albert Dumont
Algonquin Spiritual Advisor

OPENING PRAYER

Dean of Ottawa and Rector
of Christ Church Cathedral

Let us pray.

God of all consolation, in your
unending love and mercy you turn
the darkness of death into the dawn
of new life. Lift us from the
darkness of grief to the peace and
light of your presence. Grant us
grace to entrust His Royal Highness,
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,
to your never-failing love which
sustained him in this life. Receive
him into the arms of your mercy,
and remember him according to the
favour you bear for your people;
for to you all honour and blessing are
due, now and forever.

Amen.

READING

Ecclesiasticus 44:1-4, 7-8

Sailor First Class
Roselyne Marie-Andrée Rhéaume
Royal Canadian Navy

A reading from the Book
of Ecclesiasticus:

Let us now sing the praises of famous men, our ancestors in their generations. The Lord apportioned to them great glory, his majesty from the beginning. There were those who ruled in their kingdoms, and made a name for themselves by their valour; those who gave counsel because they were intelligent; those who spoke in prophetic oracles; those who led the people by their counsels and by their knowledge of the people’s lore; they were wise in their words of instruction; all these were honoured in their generations, and were the glory of their times. Some of them have left behind a name, so that others declare their praise.

Amen.

Engraved in the stone of the Memorial Arch at the corner of Lyon and Wellington Streets in Ottawa, an excerpt of this Holy Scripture sings the praises of service and bravery.

PSALM 139.1-11

Lord, you have searched me out and known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar.

You trace my journeys and my resting-places and are acquainted with all my ways. Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, but you, O Lord, know it altogether. You press upon me behind and before and lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain to it. Where can I go then from your Spirit? where can I flee from your presence?
If I climb up to heaven, you are there; if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.

If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there your hand will lead me and your right hand hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night.” Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike.

The Psalter is the oldest hymn book of the Church and is also the hymn book of ancient Israel, and the basis of much of Jewish worship today. Psalm 139 is here sung to a setting by C. Hubert H. Parry, and honours His Royal Highness’ naval career.

PRAYERS OFFERED BY THE INTERFAITH COMMUNITY

Major-General Guy J.J. Chapdelaine
Chaplain General Canadian Armed Forces

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, has always drawn strength and courage from her faith during difficult moments in her life. Following her example, let us turn to the God of all ages in this time of sorrow and sadness.

We remember before you your faithful servant, The Duke of Edinburgh, for a life well lived, and for his love for his family and his fellow citizens.

We are grateful for his sense of duty and sacrifice for the sake of Queen and country.

We pray for his wife, our Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II; his children and grandchildren; and all the Royal Family: that in their sorrow they may find grace in your strength and loving care.

We pray for all people throughout the world who mourn the loss of The Duke of Edinburgh, that in our grief we may follow his example, dedicating our lives to serving our neighbours.

Remembering his service as an Officer in the Royal Navy: we pray for all the Queen’s Forces, and especially for the members of the Canadian Armed Forces, at home and abroad: protect them in every danger, that they may perform their duties with courage and perseverance, respecting the dignity of every human being.

We remember also, veterans throughout the whole of the Commonwealth; especially, those who suffer from wounds in body or in spirit: may they be honoured for their sacrifice.

In remembering The Duke of Edinburgh’s great concern for the young people of this world and its leaders of tomorrow, we give thanks for the thousands of young lives that have been shaped and molded by the Commonwealth Study Conferences and the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. May young people around the world persevere in the face of challenges, and embrace diversity as a strength.

Sure of your love, strong in our faith, and remembering the words of her Majesty that, “grief is the price we pay for love,” we offer to you God of all understanding these and all our prayers.

Amen.

The Chaplain General heads the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and is also Honorary Chaplain to The Queen. He ministers to the religious and spiritual needs of all members of the CAF, which includes adherents of a diverse array of religious denominations as well as agnostics and atheists.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in Heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.

This setting of the Lord's Prayer (Notre Père, opus 14) was written in 1977-1978 by the French composer Maurice Duruflé.

FIRST ADDRESS

The Right Honourable
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister of Canada

FIRST MUSICAL INTERLUDE

Amazing Grace

Appleby College String Ensemble

His Royal Highness left an important legacy to Canada and the world in the creation of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. The students of Appleby College in Oakville, Ontario, have been involved in the Award since the 1960s, excelling in athletics, the arts, and community involvement. More than 100 students complete a level of the Award each year. This rendition of Amazing Grace was arranged by Matt Riley.

SECOND ADDRESS

The Right Honourable
David Johnston
Former Governor General of Canada

SECOND MUSICAL INTERLUDE

His Royal Service Ends

Royal 22e Régiment Band

Contrasting themes and orchestrations were used to emphasize The Duke of Edinburgh’s life and career in this original composition by Petty Officer 2nd class Nadia Pona (Ret'd), of the Royal Canadian Navy. With symbolic references to Heart of Oak, a traditional British naval march, His Royal Service Ends is an introspective yet powerful musical tribute to His Royal Highness’s journey over time.

During the playing of His Royal Service Ends, a video retrospective of His Royal Highness’s life will be shown.

MOMENT OF SILENCE

[A brief moment of silence]

PRAYER OF COMMENDATION

Bishop of the Anglican Diocese
of Ottawa

Into your hands, O merciful Saviour, we commend your servant Philip. Acknowledge, we pray, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light.

Amen.

HYMN

I Vow to Thee My Country

I vow to thee, my country,
all earthly things above
entire and whole and perfect,
the service of my love;
the love that asks no question,
the love that stands the test,
that lays upon the altar the
dearest and the best;
the love that never falters, the
love that pays the price,
the love that makes undaunted
the final sacrifice.

And there's another country,
I've heard of long ago,
most dear to them that love her,
most great to them that know;
we may not count her armies,
we may not see her King;
her fortress is a faithful heart,
her pride is suffering;
and soul by soul and silently
her shining bounds increase,
and her ways are ways of gentleness,
and all her paths are peace.

This hymn, composed by British diplomat Sir Cecil Spring Rice, signifies the commitment and sacrifice so many men and women have made in service of their country.

THE BLESSING

Bishop of the Anglican Diocese
of Ottawa

ROYAL ANTHEM

[The Royal Anthem plays]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command,

Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,
Il sait porter la croix!

Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits
,

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

POSTLUDE

Prelude in A flat major

This piece was composed by the Canadian composer Samuel P. Warren.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Partners - virtual tributes

About Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral is the Anglican Cathedral in the nation’s capital. It has hosted the state funeral services of several Canadian prime ministers and governors general, and has also had a long association with the Royal Family. It is here that the commemorative service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother was celebrated in 2002. The original church was founded in 1832, and the current building dates to 1873. Christ Church was designated as the Cathedral of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa in 1897, and in 1979, it also became the Cathedral of the Canadian Forces Anglican Military Ordinariate.

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