The iconic St Paul's Cathedral in London recently opened its doors to host a significant interfaith and intercultural harmony event, organised by the Sri Sathya Sai Charitable Trust UK. This gathering, titled Harmony - Through Love & Service, forms a key part of the Centenary Celebrations honouring Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, marking 100 years since his birth. The event brought together a diverse assembly of over 275 distinguished guests, including faith leaders, community representatives, philanthropists, and public life figures, all united in promoting universal values such as love, compassion, service, peace, and harmony in daily life.
An Evening of Unity and Reflection
The programme was thoughtfully structured into three distinct segments, each designed to foster connection and contemplation. Guests first participated in the Cathedral's traditional Evensong service, which was beautifully enhanced by the world-renowned St Paul's Choir under the musical direction of Andrew Carwood MBE, the Director of Music. This was followed by a contemplative interfaith service led by The Reverend & Preceptor Canon Philip Banks, featuring sacred hymns, readings from Sathya Sai Speaks, and insightful talks by key guests that emphasised timeless messages of unity and love. The evening concluded with a reception, providing a space for heartfelt connections, unity across various traditions, and discussions on compassion-led community action.
Notable Contributions and Announcements
The event was further enriched by the presence and contributions of several notable individuals, including Satyajit Salian, who lived with Baba, humanitarian and global spiritual leader MohanJi, and philanthropist and business leader Jagdish Chanrai. A symbolic moment of the evening was the Lighting of the Lamp of Harmony, performed by Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Chanrai alongside Revd Canon Philip Banks, symbolising the shared commitment to harmony and service.
This Harmony event is part of a broader, year-long programme of centenary celebrations organised by the Sri Sathya Sai Charitable Trust UK, which aims to bring together more than 3,000 people from various communities across the country through uplifting prayer, song, reflection, and community-focused service. It reaffirms a century-long mission dedicated to awakening love, peace, and unity in every heart.
Future Initiatives for Community Cohesion
A significant highlight of the evening was the announcement of the Trust's next major initiative: the Parliament of All Religions, London 2026, based on the theme Harmony through Nature. Inspired by Sri Sathya Sai Baba's profound call for unity among all faiths and communities, this initiative focuses on the common thread of reverence for nature. The Parliament aims to celebrate positive actions in local communities and champion designs that promote community cohesion through environmental regeneration. The Trust emphasised that such a gathering in London will serve as a Force for Goodness and a Beacon of Hope for harmony in a complex and fragmented world.
Holistic Commitment to Society
Through the centenary celebrations and the upcoming Parliament of All Religions, the Sri Sathya Sai Charitable Trust UK reaffirms its dedication to promoting holistic programmes in educare, healthcare, sociocare, and ecocare to benefit society. This comprehensive model focuses on compassionate upliftment and community well-being. Those interested in participating or volunteering in these initiatives are encouraged to contact the Trust for more information.
