Anglican Communion News Service - Digest News

Cathedrals around New Zealand, and parliament, will hold services tomorrow to support the people of Christchurch a week after the devastating earthquake struck the city.

During the services, a national two minutes' silence will be observed at 12.51pm, the time the magnitude 6.3 quake hit.

The quake killed at least 148 people, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue and recovery efforts continue.

Services will be held at 12.30pm in Anglican cathedrals in Auckland, Wellington, New Plymouth, Hamilton, Napier and Nelson in memory of those who have died.

Prayers will be offered for those who continue to suffer and those working to care for those in need in the aftermath of the tragedy.

A Christchurch earthquake vigil will be held on the steps of parliament at the same time.

The service will be attended by the Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand, and Lady Satyanand, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English, church and faith representatives, parliamentarians and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

The vigil will be open to the public to gather on the forecourt or grounds of parliament.

Two minutes' silence will be observed at 12.51pm during the service.

At the close of the vigil observance, the bells of the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul will ring a half-muffled peal for 10 minutes from 12.56pm.

A week later, on Tuesday, March 8, St Mary's Cathedral in New Plymouth will host a 12-hour concert to honour the people of Christchurch and raise funds for quake victims. The concert will begin at 12.51pm.