One Boston Day held virtually this year due to coronavirus outbreak

BOSTON — One Boston Day, held annually on April 15th, was done virtually this year due to the coronavirus.

This is a day to express acts of service and kindness now synonymous with the anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings seven years ago.

MORE: Boston Marathon bombing survivor has words of hope

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and faith leaders from across the city took to cyberspace, putting aside the need for the usual gatherings and showing the people of Boston how to commemorate this fateful day through prayer.

The tragedy of the Marathon bombings has given way to a model of unity. Senior Rabbi Elaine Zecher of Temple Israel said Boston is, “A city joined together by a beacon of unity to the rest of the country.”

MORE: Seven-year mark of Marathon Bombings commemorated differently amid COVID-19

Reverend Liz Walker of the Roxbury Presbyterian Church told people who tuned in to watch the 2 p.m. virtual prayer service that God is love.

“That image of love is what will get us thru this madness,” Walker said.

And invoking the phrase synonymous with Boston’s comeback after the Marathon bombings, Boston’s Roman Catholic Archbishop, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, reminded Bostonians that, "It is a time to be Boston Strong even if we can’t gather."

Cardinal O’Malley finished by saying that One Boston Day is a way to show that selfless service and kindness, accompanied by our faith in God.

And that, he said, will give us the strength to get through this crisis.

MORE: Family of retired officer shot during shootout marathon bombing suspects shares video thanking frontline workers

© 2020 Cox Media Group