The Dean of Coventry Cathedral -- the Very Reverend John Witcombe -- will be in Victoria Sunday to take part in a special ceremony at Christ Church Cathedral.
The Cathedral is becoming a partner of the "international Community of the Cross of Nails."
Formed in 1974, and based at Coventry Cathedral in the UK, it is a network of more than 200 churches and organizations in 45 countries sharing a common commitment to peace, justice and reconciliation.
It's origins sprang from tragedy, after the town of Coventry and its medieval St. Michael's Cathedral were reduced to rubble in the German blitzkrieg in November 1940.
But rather than harbour anger, or seek revenge, the Cathedral's dean famously used a nail to scratch the words "Father Forgive" onto a charred beam in the ruins, pledging to work for forgiveness and reconciliation with those responsible.
The new Cathedral opened in 1962 and serves as a centre of reconciliation in local and international conflict, and a training venue.
Christ Church Cathedral is commited to reconciliation of all kinds, but especially with Canada's first peoples.
As a symbol of the commitment church officials will rededicate and rename the baptistry in honour of the Cross of Nails. They will also remove a large banner of St George slaying the dragon, which celebrates violence as the antidote to evil. And each Friday at noon, the cathedral will offer a litany of reconciliation, accompanied by the ringing of a single bell.
While Coverntry Cathedral uses "Father forgive" Christ Church will use "Creator forgive" to echo Indigenous spirituality. A new plaque will point out some of the racialized and colonial assumptions inherent in the baptistry windows.
Christ Church Cathedral is one of 6 cathedrals in Canada that are partners.