Greyfriars Kirk plays host to pet blessing
A FAMOUS Scottish church played host to unusual guests as cats, dogs and even ponies attended a blessing service.
Pets have joined their owners at the annual service to listen to hymns and readings from the bible
Over the past four years, pets have joined their owners at the annual service to listen to hymns and readings from the bible.
And more than 30 dogs, two ponies and several cats were in the congregation at Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh on Sunday.
After the service, the pets joined their owners for a short parade at the kirk made famous by Greyfriars Bobby - a Skye terrier who guarded its owners grave for 14 years.
Greyfriars Kirk played host to unusual guests as cats, dogs and ponies attended a blessing service
Greyfriars minister the Rev Dr Richard Frazer and trainee minister Dr Liam Fraser, included the hymns "All Creatures of our God and King" and "All Things Bright and Beautiful" as well as the passage from Genesis about the creation of the animals.
The pet services began about nine years ago, but this was only the fourth since they became an annual event.
Dr Frazer said: "It's a bit of fun, but there is a serious side too.
After the service, the pets joined their owners for a short parade at the Kirk by Greyfriars Bobby
It's a bit of fun, but there is a serious side too
"You can't underestimate how important a pet can be for people who are on their own or going through difficult times.
"Pets, especially dogs, can be a real source of companionship for people.
"One of the dogs at the service was a 'therapet' - it goes into old people's homes where people are living with dementia, into psychiatric hospitals where people are struggling with mental illness and even into colleges where people are studying for exams and finding it stressful.
The services began nine years ago, but this was only the fourth since they became an annual event
"The presence of an animal can just calm people when they are anxious."
Greyfriars Kirk stands on the site of a pre-Reformation Franciscan order of Grey Friars who followed St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.
The service is organised in cooperation with the Skye Terrier Club in recognition of the link with the dog which kept vigil at his master's grave.