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Organist Alan Greaves murder: Prayers lead by bishop Organist Alan Greaves murder: Wife speaks of her grief
(about 4 hours later)
Prayers will be said for a church organist who died after being attacked on his way to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. The wife of an organist who died after being attacked on his way to church on Christmas Eve said she had "not stopped crying" over his "evil" murder.
Alan Greaves, 68, of High Green, Sheffield, died on Thursday after sustaining severe head injuries while walking to the service on Monday. Alan Greaves, 68, of High Green, Sheffield, died on Thursday after sustaining severe head injuries while walking to church on Monday evening.
The Bishop of Sheffield Dr Steven Croft will lead prayers at St Saviour's Mortomley and High Green Church. Maureen Greaves spoke of her grief at a service at St Saviour's Mortomley and High Green Church.
Two men are in custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder. Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
South Yorkshire Police said one was in his 20s and the other in his 40s.South Yorkshire Police said one was in his 20s and the other in his 40s.
Mr Greaves, a father-of-four, was found on a pavement near his home on Greengate Lane with a head injury at about 23:15 GMT on Monday. Mr Greaves family were joined at the service by the Bishop of Sheffield, Dr Steven Croft.
He had been making his way to the church to play the organ at the Midnight Mass service. During the service, Mrs Greaves told the congregation: "I won't be able to contact you over the next few days, but I want to thank you for the support you have given me.
Detectives said the motive for the assault was not known. 'Longs for justice'
The Reverend Canon Simon Bessant from St Saviour's, who worked closely with Mr Greaves and his wife Maureen, will join the bishop at the service. "I have prayed constantly for Alan and I know you have too. I have not stopped crying for him and I know you have not stopped either.
He has described the murder as a "random" act of "senseless violence". "I have wept over the evil that has been done. I have prayed for you and I know you have prayed for me. You were Alan's Christian family and he loved belonging to this church. I have felt your love towards me."
A spokesman for the Diocese of Sheffield said: "The church service will follow the normal pattern of a liturgy reflecting the Sunday after Christmas but prayers will be offered for Alan, his wife Maureen and his family as well as for the wider congregation and community. Dr Croft spoke of Mr Greaves' deep Christian faith and the sense of shock at his death.
"Canon Simon Bessant, Alan's parish priest, has been offering pastoral and practical support since he found out about the attack on Christmas morning and he will join the bishop and others in offering an act of worship which is fitting to Alan's gentle memory." "There will be immense grief for those who knew Alan well, which includes many in this church and community. There will be fear that such a thing could happen, apparently to anyone.
"There will be anger and all kinds of questions and real pain in our hearts today," he said.
He also paid tribute to Mrs Greaves: "Maureen has said very clearly and powerfully that she longs for justice not for vengeance, again bearing witness to her own deep faith in the midst of the sharpest agony of her life."
The vicar at St Saviour's, the Reverend Canon Simon Bessant, had worked closely with Mr and Mrs Greaves.
He described the murder as a "random" act of "senseless violence".
He said Mr Greaves was well-respected within the community, a comment reflected in the bishop's sermon.
Dr Croft said: "Simon has referred to Alan this week quite simply as a good man, a gentle giant. Goodness is not as common as it should be and this community and this city have lost a shining light."