The World Harmony Run passed through Belfast on March 18, calling at St Anne’s Cathedral where the runners were met by the Dean.
The Run is a global relay that seeks to promote international friendship and understanding.
As a symbol of harmony, runners carry a flaming torch, passing it from hand to hand travelling through over 100 nations around the globe.
The World Harmony Run does not seek to raise money or highlight any political cause, but strives to create goodwill among peoples of all nations.
Welcoming the runners and their supporters to St Anne’s, the Dean of Belfast, the Very Rev John Mann, said: “You have brought the sunshine with you to this City, but more importantly you have brought your message of hope for a divided world – the message that we in Belfast never tire of hearing: that the people of the world may be united in a common purpose; that difference is something that can strengthen and unite us, if we will shed the urge to dominate others and seek, sincerely and with humility, the healing for the wrongs of the past.
“As you hold the torch that you have carried from country to country, from people to people, and have shared its light with those you don’t know and yet seek to know, you offer that torch symbolically to us to hold at this Cathedral for a short time.”
The Dean continued: “As a Christian community, this whole vision rings joyfully with us, for the Prince of Peace has taught us the very message of compassion and unity that you show forth through the energy of your running, the happiness that you are spreading – but above all for the hope that you capture and hold for us all.”
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