An Account of Today's Dedication Ceremony in Worcester Cathedral given by Victor Hely-Hutchinson who will also introduce The Elgar Violin Concerto as recorded by Yehudi Menuhin
The dedication of this window takes place during the Three Choirs Festival at Worcester Cathedral. Sir Edward Elgar was, of course, closely identified with this Festival; as a young man he had played in the Festival orchestra, as his father had done before him.
The window is of three lights with tracery above, and the stained glass design is by A. K. Nicholson. Dominating the design is the figure of the Risen and Ascended Lord. His right hand is raised in Blessing and in His left He holds the Starred Orb symbolical of Universal rule. From Him proceed rays of light in all directions, 'The light that lighteneth every man.' Round the throne is the Rainbow, symbolical of God's covenant with man. The group of Cherubs' heads below the figure of Our Lord suggest the words from the Poem - 'The very pavement is made up of life.'
Below is seen the Spirit of Gerontius being raised upwards by his Guardian Angel; and at the bottom of the light is the Passing of Gerontius surrounded at his bedside by his friend and the Priest reciting the word 'Proficiscere anima Christiana de hoc mundo'. Angels, Archangels and the Heavenly Host of Angelicals surround the throne and sing 'Praise to the Holiest in the Height'. The figures of personages are represented in the groups apostrophised by the dying Gerontius and his friends who ask for their prayers and intercessions.
The upper tier includes David, St. John, The Blessed Virgin, St. Paul, Job, and Elijah. In the lower tier are the mediaeval saints of the Church and those associated with Music and Worship with Worcester. These are St. Oswald of Worcester, St. Gregory, St. Wulstan, St. Francis, St. Cecilia, and St. Dunstan. In the tracery are the Obsecrations from the Litany mentioned in the Poem and including the Incarnation, the Agony and Passion, the Crucifixion and the Entombment. At the top is the Heavenly City. the New Jerusalem, and in the small pieces of tracery are the emblems of the Passion.
