Members of the Syracuse University community gathered Sunday outside of Hendricks Chapel for an interfaith vigil to commemorate the 15-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

About 40 people gathered for the vigil, which began at 7 p.m. inside the chapel.

One member of the Hendricks Chapel Choir individually lit the eight candles located in the corridor of the seats. While the candles were being lit, somber music played on the organ. The music continued for about six minutes and then the choir ensemble began walking into the venue in pairs, lining up on the stage in a crescent shape.

Once the choir was in place, the music ended and the choir commenced in prayer. The next 30 minutes consisted of prayers, music and hymns. At varying points throughout the vigil,  a screen, located near the stage, prompted the audience to join the choir in singing hymns. At these points most audience members stood and picked up a hymn book, located in front of each pew, to follow along.

After the choir ended its performance, the audience was invited outside for the interfaith candlelight vigil portion of the evening.

Reverend Gail Riina handed out candles quietly and instructed people that the silent vigil would begin once song participants emerged onto the steps. After a few candles were lit, people shared the light with one another, eventually lighting all the candles.

Riina said they were gathered together, disturbed that people are capable of terrorism and angry that 15 years ago to the day a deliberate act of violence shook the world, killing, injuring and leaving thousands deprived.

“We gather here to remember, we are from many religious and secular traditions, but we are here together to mourn, to honor those who went into the chaos to help victims, defeating the terrorists by showing the best human beings are capable of, and to renew our own commitments to be agents of peace,” Riina said.

Her statement was followed by two minutes of silence.

Riina continued her litany of remembrance, stopping after each statement for about 30 seconds of silence. As she spoke, people covered their candles with their hands to prevent the wind from blowing out their light.

Participants were invited to speak the names of those they would like to remember, either out loud or silently.

Once the naming of victims ended, David Fullman, a firefighter on duty in the Bronx on the day of the attacks, played a song on the bagpipes.

Pagan Mary Hudson continued the vigil, saying that while they gathered to remember, they also gathered to strengthen their resolve to move forward in a world where peace can prevail.

“We resolve to move forward to a world where we honor our differences and find strength in our commonalities,” Hudson said.

A minute of silence continued.

Ending the vigil, Riina said as people leave to go to their homes, dorms, classes and workplaces, they must go forward “to live with memory and hope and resolve to be agents of peace.”

Published on September 12, 2016 at 12:11 am

Contact Stacy: sfern100@syr.edu | @StacyFernandezB