Iris' Archives, October 2017

From the 1st Century A.D. Through to the present 21st Century, many people have influenced the way of Christian living and the pattern of our worship

Also symbols which represent either something or someone and are used in all walks of life, many may be seen within our churches and cathedrals.

In the coming months we will look at :-

  • Who's Who in Church History
  • Stories of hymns
  • Symbols of the church

CONSTANTINE THE GREAT (kon'stan-tin) 274-337Constantine

One of history's most powerful rulers, as sole emperor of the re-united Roman Empire from 323 to his death. He attributed his decisive victory near Rome, in 312, to the intervention of Christ. From that point on, he showered the Christian Church with his favors, and even called and presided over the first General Christian Council at Nicaea in 325. He was not baptized, however, until he knew he was about to die. Shall we call him a Christian Emperor? Was his character Christian in any reasonable sense? The answers are hard to give. At any rate, he marks the end of the terrible persecutions of Christians by the Roman Empire, and the beginning of a very different chapter in the life of the Christian Church.

COME, YE THANKFUL PEOPLE, COMECome Ye Thankful

Henry Alford, 1810-1871

Of all the harvest hymns, "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come,' written by the Reverend Henry Alford, Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, is the most popular. It was first published in his Psalms and Hymns in 1844. To describe Alford as precocious as a child is an understatement. He started writing at the age of six, and by eleven had compiled a collection of hymns. At sixteen these were his words: "I do this day as in the presence of God and my own soul renew my covenant with God, and solemnly determine henceforth to become His, and do His work as far as in me lies." "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come" may not have been his most scholarly effort, but it will always remain the most popular writing of his career.

Dove with Olive SprigDove with Olive Branch

Sometimes used as a symbol for the Flood. It denotes peace, forgiveness, and anticipation of new life.

 

Iris Holt, 22/10/2017