Manchester Cathedral Comes Alive for Worship Around the World
Manchester Cathedral echoed with music, dance and joyful celebration on Sunday as hundreds of people gathered for Worship Around the World.
Manchester Cathedral echoed with music, dance and joyful celebration on Sunday as hundreds of people gathered for Worship Around the World, an event showcasing the richness of Christian worship across cultures and communities in our diocese.
The Cathedral was filled to capacity as worshippers from all over Manchester diocese and some neighbouring dioceses (Sheffield, Blackburn, York and Chester) came together to celebrate the diversity of God’s Church. From the opening procession of performers to the final acts of worship, the atmosphere was one of joy, with many people dancing in the aisles and enthusiastically joining in the celebrations.
Hosted by Canon David Onabanjo and BBC Radio Manchester presenter Simone Riley, the afternoon offered a powerful reminder that the Church is enriched by people of every nation, language and culture.
Audiences were treated to a range of performances. The Freedom to Worship ministry and Resonance Band brought contemporary worship infused with global influences, while the Forge Dance Group captivated with energetic and expressive dance. St Bride’s Persian Christian Fellowship shared worship from the Persian Christian tradition, and Manchester Chinese Christian Church’s Cantonese Group offered stunning performances reflecting the richness of their culture and worship.
Grace Community Urdu Church shared worship rooted in the traditions of Urdu-speaking Christians, while the AkwaCross Dancers brought colour, rhythm and joy through traditional Nigerian dance. The event concluded with a moving finale bringing together many of the performers in a shared act of worship.
Throughout the afternoon, Manchester Cathedral became a living expression of the vision found in Revelation 7, where people from every nation, tribe and language gather to worship God together.
Canon David Onabanjo, Intercultural Mission Enabler for the Diocese of Manchester, said, “The event demonstrated the beauty of intercultural worship and the growing diversity of Christian communities across the region. I am delighted that so many people have gathered to witness this shared expression in action.”
Visitors also had the opportunity to learn more about intercultural mission across our diocese and explore ways churches are building relationships across cultures, languages and traditions. Thank you to all who took part and made the event such a success.
