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Flashback: Last Brownstone Standing
We visited the Cathedral of St. John the Divine yesterday to participate in the Feast of St. Francis service - and to see all the animals that flocked to Morningside Heights for the annual animal blessing. Many people brought their pets - mostly dogs, but there were quite a few cats, birds and bunny rabbits - and the cathedral was packed.
One highlight of the service is the procession of animals. And everything from a camel, golden eagle and a monkey to hermit crabs, reindeer and lovebirds waited outside with their handlers until their big moment. Green Chimneys, a non-profit in New York that offers animal-assisted therapy to children, brought down many of the animals, including two llamas who love to kiss people (we know firsthand!), a Chinese goose, chicken, a miniature horse, goats - and Mr. Thumper the rabbit and Marvin the black sheep (above).
When the animals finally entered the cathedral, everyone oohed and aahed over seeing the animals escorted down the nave (best walks are a toss up between the little girls chasing the goose and the porcupine wheeled in - in a special Plexiglass case). Overall, it was a very joyous celebration, especially with the dances from the Paul Winter Group.
After the service, everyone gathered in the courtyard, getting their pets blessed, asking others about their pets and enjoying the day. And yes, that's a 14-pound bunny in a carrier (above right).
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you have to be kidding?
boy do I wish people were smarter.
you have to be kidding?
boy do I wish people were smarter.
The bunny lady had another bunny in a cage -the other was "shy."
It was a really great event. I'm not particularly religious, but I love animals and it was awesome to see all the people who wanted to bring their pets to the event - everyone was in good spirits and happy to be there. Even the panting dogs, I think.
And there's a great story about the monkey (picture 17 in the slide show) - she was rescued from a lab in Chicago by a worker who claimed that the monkey's mom had a stillborn birth!
Although the whole event is somewhat silly, it's nice to know that people are respecting other living beings and sharing some strange mumbo jumbo happiness beliefs with them.
When will their first Holy Communion be?
Bring back the pagans and other multi god worshipping idols type stuff. Saints in all their multitudes of sponsoring this, protecting this and a that, don't have the same aura as the good old gods of yore. Plus they look silly dressed in cheap sack cloth. The old gods wore raiments a lot more stylish.
You gotta admit the bunny meeting the goat is damn cute!
Is that a Were-Rabbit? Hide your prize vegetables!!
Rich people are crazy.
Is this what the catholic church has been reduced to?
Although St. Francis of Assisi was Catholic, I've been told that St. John's is Episcopalian or some other protesant sect. But neither Mormon or Druid.
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine isn't a Catholic church. It's part of NYC's Episcopal Diocese and a host to lots of inclusive/ecumenical events.
did you guys bring the Gothamist mascots?
ohhhh, episcoplian. The Church for status-seeking athiests.
got it.
The pix with the Bugs on 'roids looks kind of perverse..
Where did these animals come from? Totally wild, but cool.
I dunno about carrying your pets around in a baby carrier strapped to your chest. They're not babies after all. Wouldn't it be better to cart them around in a regular animal carrier?
Poor animals, being forced to convert!
matty go back to chicago. the episcopal church has been around for centuries and is hardly some fly by night status seeking house of worship. how silly.
i was raised episcopalian and resent your gratuitous, ill-informed and obnoxious comment.
is it too much to ask that your comments actually relate to the content of the story? ad hominem and otherwise ignorant statements do not further the discussions on gothamist or anywhere else.
Do they teach you to be oversensitive in the episcopal church?
I can see why some of these people have decided to seek the companionship of animals....
Get that poor Yorkie out of the strap-on baby carrier!!!
@gregoire: Not overly sensitive, just weary of matty and comments like the one he made...
yes, I often go on blistering attacks against the episcopalian church on this site. I'll try to turn it down a notch in the future.
sad, so sad. See ladies? Keep on telling yourself "I'm happy being single".
Bideawee brought two adoptable dogs to this event! If you didn't get a chance to meet Jackie or Pearl (or to see other adoptable dogs and cats) check out our website:
bideawee.org
That was so sweet. I wish I knew in advance. I would have brought my 3 pups. Next year.
Animals are sometimes better company than humans. If you don't want to talk, they don't badger you about it. They just love you unconditionally and are happy to see you every time. Sounds perfect to me.