Whitsun

Today is Whitsun or Pentecost.  Tomorrow, the second day of Whitsun, used to be a bank holiday until 1971 when it was rationalised out of existence.  France has recently restored Whit Monday as a national holiday, so perhaps we should do the same.

Earlier this evening I went to the 6.30 pm Holy Communion service.  Canticle from Ezekiel; hymn Breath On Me Breath of God; at the end of the service the paschal candle was extinguished.  All through June we are using the Authorised Version.

We also sang a completely new (to me) hymn Enemy of Apathy which is about the dove that is one of the symbols of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Above:  Ronald Hutton gives several medieval examples of the representation of a dove being suspended above the altar (or even let down from a hole in the roof) during Whitsun.  This old custom was revived in High Anglican churches during the 19th century.  In The Hill Station by JG Farrell the introduction of a stuffed dove into the ritual of a church service causes a riot.

Above:  in a village in a very secluded part of the county I found that the medieval church had been filled with ornate Victorian woodwork.  The carvings included this wooden dove above the font.  It seems to be suspended on ropes and capable of ascending and descending.