Cathedral Events

Monday, April 11, 2011 7 PM

A Prayer for Japan

Event image

Join us for an interfaith service of music and prayer for the nation and people of Japan. The service marks one month since the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami struck there March 11. His Excellency Ichiro Fujisaki, Japanese ambassador to the United States, will participate in the service featuring Buddhist, Shinto, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, and Christian faith representatives. Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd will provide the welcome and invocation. The service will also be webcast live from the Cathedral's homepage at www.nationalcathedral.org.

With Gratitude

The Cathedral extends its thanks to www.unbeatenbyrain.com for use of the translation of Kenji Miyazawa’s iconic poem “Amenimo makezu.” Translation copyright © 2011 by Catherine Iwata, Fredrich Ulrich, Orlagh O’Reilly, Helen Bartos, Minaeri Park, Mokmi Park, Sophie Sampson, Kotomi Okbo, Eva Tuunanen, Yuki Kumagai, Alessanra Lauria, Miwa Block, Nancy O’Reilly, Jasmina Vico, Amy Ryan, and Yasuko Akiyama.

Participant List

Mr. Scott Dettra
organist, Washington National Cathedral

Ms. Miyuki Yoshikami
koto player

Reverend Kaz Nakata
Minister, Ekoji Buddhist Temple, Fairfax Station, Virginia

The Very Reverend Samuel T. Lloyd III
Dean, Washington National Cathedral

Cathedral Singers
Washington National Cathedral

His Excellency Ichiro Fujisaki
Ambassador of Japan to the United States of America

Kimiko Shimada, soprano
Maiko Chiba, pianist

The Reverend Dr. Francis H. Wade
Episcopal Diocese of Washington
Read Dr. Wade’s sermon »

Rabbi Bruce Lustig
Senior Rabbi
Washington Hebrew Congregation

Mr. Shiro Shintaku
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Kamakura, Japan

Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed
National Director, Office for Interfaith and Community Alliances
Islamic Society of North America

Dr. D. C. Rao
Board of Directors of the Inter Faith Conference

The Reverend Canon Mary Sulerud
Canon for Deployment and Vocational Ministry, Episcopal Diocese of Washington

The Reverend Jan Naylor Cope
Vicar, Washington National Cathedral

The Reverend Gwendolyn W. Tobias
Director of Worship, Washington National Cathedral

Prayer

O God our Creator, you formed the Earth and called it good. Still, your good work stretches and groans with life, and the unsettling movement of earth and sea has brought destruction and death to the nation and people of Japan.

Gracious God, behold the Land of the Rising Sun and be present to her people throughout this great tragedy. Give them strength and hope to face their suffering and to bear their grief. Deliver them from helplessness and give them confidence to face the present time knowing that they are not alone in danger and uncertainty.

God of all compassion, give the earth your peace and calm the surging seas. Guide and strengthen all the people of the earth that with generous hearts and hands all may give of themselves to aid in rescue, recovery, and relief. All this we ask in the name of the One who is the God of Many Names and the Lover of All Peoples. Amen.

Parking at the Cathedral

Parking in the Cathedral’s underground garage is free on Sundays for services and organ recitals; parking for concerts and programs is available for an event-parking fee. Learn more about parking options for individuals and groups.