Thursday 31 October 2013
All Saints
Right. Candlesticks. To begin.....
(pauses until the sound of John Gray closing the door behind him is heard)
The Evensong at All Saints church tonight will be for all the saints, and - believe me - there are a lot of them. Too many to be named in one church service, so they are all hallowed in one mass ritual in one short service.
"What I like about All Saints Eve," my normally non God-bothering friend says, "is the warmth and ritual - candles, bells and incense."
She has a point. You don't have to be a raving Christian to prefer the old rituals that the Happy-Clappy loonies shun along with the St James Bible, as they set up drum kits and plug in electric guitars.
One of the most magical experiences I ever had was when I walked into a small church in Hamburg on Christmas night, where a small chamber orchestra was accompanying a wonderful young soprano who sang something written by Bach.
The old church - which had survived the bombs and was as intact as it was when Bach himself played the organ there - was absolutely packed with semi-innebriated party-goers, but they all fell into a reverent hush to listen to the music.
It being so full, I was quite close to the back of the building, and was standing up.
The young woman fixed her gaze on me as soon as she sung the first note, and her eyes never left mine until the last. I fell in love, but stopped myself from paying her a visit at the stage-door at the end, for fear of breaking the spell.
They are selling these glass bead-covered skulls in the London outlet of Paul Smith, and I went inside to handle a few.
They are VERY attractive, but I managed to resist buying one - at £650. I would charge more if I made one myself, though.
Very Mexican Day of the Dead. They might even have been made in Mexico.
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I completely understand about appreciating the mystery and beauty of the old church and the seasonal rituals celebrated there. I am certainly no Christian (atheist as a matter of fact) but I would love to attend such beautiful services.
ReplyDeleteI also love the skulls! :)
Happy Halloween Tom!
No need for any response to this one, I think. We are in accord, eh?
DeleteYes we are! :)
DeleteThe many times I spent in the ancient cathedral where I was at school, were some of the most wonderful experiences of my life. The building itself, the organ playing, and the choristers, were all magical. And all that from a militant atheist.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing a militant atheist likes more than a chorister playing on his organ, in my experience.
DeleteWas that the St. Michaeliskirche "Michel" in Hamburg? I always went there for the MoGo (motor-biker-service) - very impressive.
ReplyDeleteMight have been - I'll check.
DeleteYes, there is something about ritual that can be comforting, and a lighted candle seems hopeful in the dark.
ReplyDeleteUnless you cannot afford the electricity bill.
DeleteThere never was a great deal of ritual in the Ebeneezer Baptist CHAPEL in Abertillery, but they now call it a Church, those high blown arseholes. Please excuse me, I think I might have ranted somewhat there. xx
ReplyDeleteIf you did, it was a very short rant, compared to most.
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