Every year, the Durham Deanery celebrates Ascension Day with a eucharist in the beautiful riverside ruins of Finchale Priory. Finchale was once upon a time within the parish of St. Oswald, which is why we still have the privilege of organising the event.This year, the preacher was Revd. John Fisher, the new Rector of St. Giles, and our own Revd. Peter Kashouris celebrated. St. Oswald's choir led the music from behind the (ahem) portable altar, and although the Salvation Army Band were unable to join this year, they have been firmly invited for 2025.
ᴘʜᴏᴛᴏ ᴄʀᴇᴅɪᴛ: ᴀʟɪᴄᴇ ᴡᴏʀᴛAfter the commemoration of the first eucharist on Maundy Thursday, and the harrowing tale of the crucifixion on Good Friday and the stripping of the altars, the light is lit on Easter Eve and the church starts to put on its festal array to celebrate the mighty resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.This was the first time I've ever taken part in the services of Holy Week, and it was a privilege.
ᴘʜᴏᴛᴏ ᴄʀᴇᴅɪᴛ: ᴛʀᴇᴠᴏʀ ꜱᴍɪᴛʜOn 10th March David Stancliffe and the Bishop's Consort brought JS Bach's Matthäus-Passion to St. Oswald's, in German and using the original small choral forces. The music in itself was spectacular, but the real surprise of the evening was how following the German words and their English translation blended with the music to make a deep spiritual impression. I could never hope or expect that the very Son of God should take on the lethal burden of my own sin and shortcomings, and yet that is exactly what he has done, willingly and with love...The sadly limping church heating obliged the orchestra to re-tune now and then, but even this made its mark: hearing Ach Golgatha, unselges Golgatha... (Golgotha, unhappy Golgotha! The Lord of glory must shamefully perish here) sung as the instruments gently drifted out of key was haunting.The part of the Evangelist was sung by Chris Why, and Jesus by Ben Kazez.
