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Marking the 85th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz, this special service brings together music, prayer, and remembrance.

The theme of the civic event is “Remembering well to move forward”.

As well as offering a moment of reflection, it is also an opportunity for everyone to continue to think about how we can work towards peace and reconciliation moving forward.

The service, which starts at 5.30pm, will be led by the Very Reverend John Witcombe, Dean of Coventry.

It will include contributions from Coventry schools, faith leaders, and choral pieces and also guests from Germany will be joining via video link for the National Gathering of the Community of the Cross of Nails in Münster, Germany.

Following the service, civic guests and service attendees will move into the iconic Cathedral Ruins as two sirens sound at 6.55pm to mark the exact time of the air raid in 1940. This will be followed by a two-minute silence and an opportunity for people to pay their own respects or take a moment to remember those who suffered so much on that fateful night.

A specially commissioned Choral Piece ‘Litany of Reconciliation’ by Ben Ponniah and a peal of the cathedral bells ringing out across the city will close the event.

Service Details

Times: Congregation to be seated by 5.15pm. Service to commence at 5.30pm sharp.

This service is being ticketed but FREE so please book here

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Please note there will be an air raid siren sounding at the end of the Vigil in the Cathedral Ruins, and we’re conscious, for some of those attending, this may be upsetting or bring back difficult memories. However, we did want to let you know in advance that this would happen.

For the outdoor element of the evening in the Ruins, please dress appropriately for the weather.