top

THE Episcopal CHURCH - October 31, 1998

Pageantry, symbolism ring in a new era

By Ed Stannard

From four corners of Washington National Cathedral, led by fluttering multi-hued streamers from 21-foot-high poles, processions representing the body of the church assembled to invest its 25th presiding bishop.

[ ... ]

It was an investiture not only of Frank Tracy Griswold III but, it seemed, of the third Christian millennium as well. [...]

[ ... ]

Call and response

The gifts presented to Griswold by ecumenical leaders, Anglican Communion representatives and Episcopalians emphasized his position as both leader and servant of the church. After each presentation he turned to the people and invited them to renew their own place in the Episcopal ministry. The first were copies of the Koran and the Torah from representatives of Islam and Judaism, the other religions who claim they descend from Abraham. Then came an icon of the Holy Trinity, presented by Archbishop Spyridon, head of the Greek Orthodox in America, gifts from Roman Catholics and Lutherans and those in ecumenical ministry, a presentation by two children from the Sunday school at Chicago's cathedral, Anglican and Episcopal symbols, a prayer book, supplemental liturgies and the four Episcopal hymnals, a gospel book, water and bread and wine.

[ ... ]

[ The Episcopal Church
   www.episcopalchurch.org/library/article/pageantry-symbolism-ring-new-era
   October 31, 1998 ]