Boston Metropolitan Methodios Speaks at Interfaith Prayer Service for Marathon Victims

Anastasios Papapostolou – 20/4/13

President Obama spoke at an interfaith prayer service to honor victims of the Boston Marathon bombings Thursday morning at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Among the clergy that prayed was the Greek-Orthodox Metropolitan of Boston, Methodios who also spoke at the event.

Titled “Healing Our City,” the service began at 11 a.m. at the cathedral, on Washington Street in Boston’s South End. The renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma performed, and clergy from different faiths offered readings, prayers, and reflections.

“A violent and cruel intrusion like the bomb blast sends people scattering, and it’s terrorizing,” said the Rev. Nancy Taylor, senior minister of Old South Church, who spoke at the service.

“The coming together is creating a space of unity and community in defiance of that kind of cruelty and violence.”

Metropolitan Methodios, the hierarch of the Greek Orthodox church in Boston, offered a welcome speech.

“We gather as a community to bow our heads in prayer.. for the innocent lives that were so violently taken,” Methodios noted.

Rev. Roberto Miranda of Congregacion Leon de Juda in Roxbury and Nasser S. Weddady, chair of the New England Interfaith Council, offered reflections. Rabbi Ronne Friedman of Temple Israel in Brookline and the Rev. John Borders III of Morningstar Baptist Church in Mattapan read from scripture.

Four former governors also attended, Governor Deval Patrick said: Mitt Romney, William F. Weld, Michael S. Dukakis, and Jane M. Swift.

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