Moderator honours Chariots of Fire Olympic hero in 100th anniversary service

Almost a century to the day after Olympic hero and Christian missionary Eric Liddell gave his famous sermon in the Scots Kirk in Paris, current Moderator, Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson followed in his famous footsteps to preach at the very same lectern Liddell had used 100 years before.

Liddell's sermon, which was recreated in the Oscar-winning drama "Chariots of Fire" almost 60 years later, was all the more remarkable as that day – Sunday, July 6 1924 – was also when the heats for 100 metre sprint, Liddell's best event, were being held. Liddell had refused to take part in the heats because they were being held on the Sabbath, despite being seen as the likely winner of the event.

Instead, he went on to compete in the less familiar 400 metre race a few days later, going on win it in what was then a record-breaking time of 47.6 seconds. Liddell completed his Paris medal tally with bronze in the 200 metres.

He later returned to China, where he had been born to his missionary parents. Remaining in China during World War II, he died in Weihsien Internment Camp in 1945 at the age of 43.

With the Olympic Games returning to Paris later this month, the centenary of Eric Liddell's Olympic achievement has prompted a number of commemorative events.

This included a special service to mark the occasion, led by Dr Paterson, who later unveiled a plaque at the church to mark the 100th anniversary of Liddell's sermon.

Dr Paterson and his wife Christine were also joined by some members from his home kirk of Strathaven Trinity Parish Church in Lanarkshire as part of the international congregation.

100 years on and still honouring God

"What an honour to preach from the lectern used by Eric Liddell one hundred years after he preached in the Scots Kirk in Paris rather than run on a Sunday," Dr Paterson commented.

"It was a wonderful weekend of celebrations at which everyone was so welcoming.

During his sermon, which Dr Paterson titled "100 years on and still honouring God", Dr Paterson told the congregation: "Eric Liddell is more than an Olympian – his life itself is a living sermon.

"As he was about to run in the 400 metres, he was passed a note that said: ‘He that honours Me, I will honour' – a quote from 1 Samuel: chapter 2, verse 30.

"Eric Liddell honoured God by not running on a Sunday and by preaching here. One hundred years on, Eric Liddell is still honouring God – for this special service, this visit by the Moderator, the visitors who have come here today, the media attention – this has been because of Eric's Christian convictions, the stand he took and the example he set.

"It is our duty to ensure that Eric is honoured and remembered and celebrated for every time we do so, we too are honouring God."

While in Paris, Dr Paterson also had the opportunity to see a one-man play on the life of Eric Liddell, "Beyond the Chariots", which the Scots Kirk was hosting as part of the centenary celebrations.

Performed by Rich Swingle, the play is coming to Scotland later this month with performances in Edinburgh, Leith and Kilsyth.

"This is a captivating play about Eric's life as a missionary after his 400 metre gold medal win featuring Rich Swingle as the only performer. I cannot find the right words other than: ‘It was simply wonderful!'" Dr Paterson added.