Washington Speaks: Easter

Sunday, April 9, 2023

Easter at the Washington National Cathedral

Easter Day at the Washington National Cathedral, April 9, 2023. Repairs continue at the Cathedral damaged by the 2011 earthquake. (See tower above.) Some $14 million still need to be raised to meet the total $38 million cost of restoration/By Patricia Leslie

Easter Day, Washington National Cathedral, April 9, 2023/By Patricia Leslie

The War Memorial Chapel on Easter Day, Washington National Cathedral, April 9, 2023 in /By Patricia Leslie

Easter Day at the Washington National Cathedral, April 9, 2023 in the War Memorial Chapel. British artist Steven Barry Sykes (1914-1999) sculpted the head of Jesus surrounded by a halo which hangs above the altar. British women, including the Queen Mother (1900-2002), mother of Queen Elizabeth (1926-2022), made the kneeling pads in the chapel in commemoration of sacrifices made by U.S. Armed Forces during World War II/By Patricia Leslie

A banner of Armed Forces in the War Memorial Chapel on Easter Day, Washington National Cathedral, April 9, 2023/By Patricia Leslie

Detail of the 9 x 12 foot Tree of Life embroidery which hangs at the left of the altar in the War Memorial Chapter with seals of all 50 states. Some of the seals (Tennessee's, above) appear to be unfinished which matches Tennessee's unfinished chapter in granting justice for all its citizens. Pictured Easter Day, Washington National Cathedral, April 9, 2023/By Patricia Leslie

The entrance to the Children's Chapel on Easter Day, the Washington National Cathedral, April 9, 2023/By Patricia Leslie

The altar in the Children's Chapel, Easter Day, the Washington National Cathedral, April 9, 2023/By Patricia Leslie

Flowers on the altar at the Children's Chapel, Easter Day, the Washington National Cathedral, April 9, 2023/By Patricia Leslie

The baptismal font in the Children's Chapel, Easter Day, the Washington National Cathedral, April 9, 2023/By Patricia Leslie

At the altar in the Children's Chapel, Easter Day, the Washington National Cathedral, April 9, 2023/By Patricia Leslie

A kneeling cushion at the altar in the Children's Chapel, Easter Day, Washington National Cathedral, April 9, 2023/By Patricia Leslie

The conclusion of Choral Evensong, Easter Day, Washington National Cathedral, April 9, 2023/By Patricia Leslie

A tower undergoing repair due to the 2011 earthquake, Easter Day, Washington National Cathedral, April 9, 2023/By Patricia Leslie

Easter Day at the Washington National Cathedral, April 9, 2023/By Patricia Leslie

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Monday, April 17, 2017

Easter flowers at Washington National Cathedral

Washington National Cathedral, Easter Day 2017/photo by Patricia Leslie

According to a report last week on WAMU-FM, about a dozen volunteers worked on 86 floral arrangements for the Easter Sunday celebration at the Washington National Cathedral where 5,000 visitors were expected.

Washington National Cathedral, Easter Day 2017/photo by Patricia Leslie

President George Washington at Washington National Cathedral, Easter Day 2017/photo by Patricia Leslie

Washington National Cathedral, Easter Day 2017/photo by Patricia Leslie

President Abraham Lincoln, Washington National Cathedral, Easter Day 2017/photo by Patricia Leslie

The inscription on the wall is from President Lincoln's impromptu address to several thousand citizens who gathered in Springfield, Illinois on February 11, 1861 to bid him farewell as Lincoln embarked on his journey to his inauguration in Washington:

My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.

Washington National Cathedral, Easter Day 2017/photo by Patricia Leslie

Washington National Cathedral, Easter Day 2017/photo by Patricia Leslie

The copy in the frame for the Pentagon Cross reads:

The cross was presented to Washington National Cathedral by the United States Army Chief of Chaplains in recognition that we are united in memory, freedom, and faith, and in the hope of and love for God, our nation, and all peoples of the earth.

The cross was made by Alvin Neider from fragments of the facade of the Pentagon after the attacks of 11 September 2001.