Handel for Any Wedding

In the Syriac Christian Church, the Sunday before the beginning of Lent is marked as Cana Sunday.  The gospel for that day is read from St. John’s writing which recalls Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding of Cana where he turned water into wine. It is a day to celebrate the gifts of family and food before the penitential season of fasting begins and to be reminded that God’s abundance will be shared again. In the Western Church calendar, this same passage is often read at the beginning of Epiphany season. It is a revelation of Jesus’ divine nature.

For nearly 200 years, the music of George Frideric Handel has been included in the weddings of the British royal family. It was true again in May 2018, when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were wed. The soon to be American princess was escorted down the aisle to Handel’s “Eternal Source of Light Divine.”  This year, for our Wedding at Cana Sunday worship service we will feature the music of George Frideric Handel performed by the LOTI Choir and the Lake String Quartet.