8 December

Myanmar Council of Churches held a special prayer service for the Republic of the Union of Myanmar at Holy Trinity Cathedral on Bogyoke Aung San Street in Pabedan in downtown Yangon at 9 am yesterday.

Dr. Shwe Hlun, wife of Vice President U Henry Van Thio, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko and officials, Daw Lwin Lun Hman, wife of Union Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin, Archbishop of Church of the Province of Myanmar (Anglican) Steven Than Myint Oo, the chair of Myanmar Interfaith Friendship and Unity Group and members, bishops and Christians attended the service.

The prayer service was opened with hymns. Vicar/Dean, the Very Rev’d Reginald Bennett, of Holy Trinity Cathedral and Archbishop Steven Than Myint Oo said the opening prayers.

In his greetings, Union Minister Thura U Aung Ko said all the citizens living in Myanmar are brought up on a single landmass, relying on the same source of water while holding the four cardinal virtues. I wish Myanmar moving towards peace through unity. So all should be under their respective religious teachings, and should avoid the two extremes while serving the national interest. I wish unity and inclusiveness in partaking in the endeavours for national peace, prosperity and modernization. And then the Union Minister prayed for eternal peace of the nation.

Chair of the Myanmar Interfaith Friendship and Unity Group U Thaung Htaik made wishes for the special prayer service. Archbishops and bishops of Christian Churches said prayers for Myanmar. Students of Holy Cross Theological College sang hymns. Bishops then presented Christmas gifts to Dr. Shwe Hlun, Union Minister Thura U Aung Ko and officials. —MNA (Translated by TMT)