By Jo Siedlecka

A record number of Christians took part in a Ecumenical Procession, Prayers and Blessing of the Palms at Finsbury Park in north London on Palm Sunday.

Parishioners from St Thomas More RC church, Manor House, St John the Evangelist CoE church Brownswood Park, St Olave's, Woodberry Down and the Eritrean and Ethiopian Orthodox churches, took part. Passers by stopped and to watch as the procession with Joseph the donkey passed through the residential streets near the park.

At the park gates, after the crowds sang Give Me Joy in My Heart, accompanied by accordionist Bartley and Rev Prebendary Tunde Roberts from St Olave's gave a warm welcome to everyone gathered. After the Blessing of Palms, Fr Clive Lee gave a brief homily in which he described the events which took place in Jerusalem leading up to Palm Sunday – how Jesus had asked the disciples to find a colt and bring it to him.

The crowds then processed to their own churches for Palm Sunday services. There was standing room only at the Mass in St Thomas More's. Countertenor Allessandro Romano, from Rose Opera sang at the end of Mass before people departed in silence.

Orginally published by ICN

Photos: Jo Siedlecka