Special prayers and liturgical material for 60th anniversary of Queen's coronation

The Church of England has released prayers and liturgical resources for the 60th anniversary of the Queen's coronation.

The Queen and other members of the royal family will mark the occasion by attending a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on 4 June.

The resources include texts adapted from the 1953 coronation service, including the words used when The Queen received the Bible from the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland: "Here is the Wisdom; This is the royal law; These are the lively Oracles of God."

The Dean of Westminster Abbey has written a Coronation Anniversary Prayer approved by the Queen and commended for use throughout the Church by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

The prayer has been written in modern and traditional language, with the modern language version reading:

Almighty God,
 at the hands of priests and prophets
 you anoint your chosen servants with the oil of gladness
 and strengthen them with the gifts of your Holy Spirit:
 accept our joyful praise as with united voice
 we give thanks for the long and glorious reign
 of our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth.
 Renewing your blessings, pour on her your choicest gifts,
 and on all your people the spirit of humility and mutual service
 shown in the life and death of him who is the anointed King of all,
 our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
 Amen.

The resources include a prayer for use by children, as well as selections of scripture, an act of penitence, gospel acclamations and responsories.

The Reverend Christopher Woods, the National Worship Adviser and Secretary to the Liturgical Commission, said: "The Liturgical Commission is delighted to publish these resources for services - which can be used across the Church of England on or around 2 June to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation.

"A coronation is first and foremost an act of worship to almighty God and there is much symbolism in the service. The anniversary gives the nation a chance to reflect on this rich symbolism as well as to celebrate the continued life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II."

The resources can be found online at http://www.coronation.churchofengland.org

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