Dear Friends,
This past Tuesday, Martha Holmen, our director of Communications, with the Rev. Yohan Dumpala as videographer filmed my Advent, Christmas, New Years Day and Epiphany videos for the Diocese. The setting for each of the offerings was taken in different corners and vantage points around St. James Cathedral. The gothic revival building, opened in 1853, is the fourth worship space built on the site. The first was a small wooden structure erected in 1807. The second, a stone church in the neo-classic style, opened in 1833, but it tragically burned in 1839. Construction of the third building began the same year. Sadly, it too was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1849.
The history of our cathedral speaks about tenacity and resilience, faithfulness and trust in the face of challenge and hardship. It was never a question for our ancestors to stop building and gathering as a people of faith. In fact, the present building is partially built on top of the preceding foundations, each subsequent building larger than the one before to meet the growing need. Each building a testament to a deepening of faith, of placing awe and wonder in stone, copper and glass. Each a symbol of home for the whole Diocese. It is the place where most of our clergy were ordained, where many lay members of all ages were confirmed. It is the one place that we all hold in common, where all of us belong by virtue of being Anglican. The cathedral is also a gathering place for the city of Toronto, our provincial capital, a symbol of holy presence where all are welcome to enter, to pray, to watch, to listen, to light a votive candle for the memory of another, to be.
It’s like a second home for me, a place where I can steal away to be still, a place where my soul has been stirred by the Holy Spirit, a place where I get to see so many of you all in one place. I know every nook and cranny, from the crypt to almost the top of the tower. It’s a beautiful building. And I have to say, I have never seen it quite like I did when we attended the first show of Celestia.
Celestia is multisensory arts experience that uses the interior of our cathedral as a canvas for light and projection. Swirling images highlight the architecture in dramatic ways. An original score and choral singing invite the viewer to slip into the four movements of Awakening, Becoming, Transformation and Belonging. It’s really quite wonderful! The hour-long performance is offered several times during the week and on the weekends. You can find more information here about times and tickets.
With only 41 days until Christmas, I am thinking tickets would make great stocking stuffers… just saying.
Yours in Christ,
The Right Reverend Andrew Asbil
Bishop of Toronto
