On a Green Hill Far Away

OVERCAST skies and strong winds did not deter the small band of faithful pilgrims who took part in the annual Act of Worship at the graves of Bishop WIlliam Alexander and his wife, the hymn-writer Cecil Frances Alexander.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Apr 2010, 11:42 BST

With rain threatening all the way, the members of the Church of Ireland Sitting Ducks group and members of the Confirmation Class, together with the boy choristers, faced the elements accompanied by a scattering of brave parishoners, Cathedral guides and the Dean of St Columb's Cathedral, Rev Dr William Morton for the trek to the City Cemetery where a short service of remembrance and thanks was to take place.

Throughout the journey to and from the graveyard a simple wooden cross, with a crown of thorns was carried by Jamie Baldrick and Keeva Armstrong.

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Participants gathered for 3pm following the traditional Good Friday service in the Cathedral, and the Dean led the way along the mile-long route to the cemetery to the simple white marble cross in the lower graveyard which marks the site of the Alexander graves.

Formal

At the start of the formal proceedings the Dean laid a simple floral tribute of white blooms at the foot of the marble headstone marking the Alexanders' grave.

In a short address the Dean told the faithful: "As we stand here on a green hill outside a city wall our thoughts turn to another green hill, the hill of Calvary, outside the city of Jerusalem. Sharply focused in our minds at this solemn moment is the Cross and our Saviour dying there in pain and agony for the sins of the world.

"Let us, over the next few moments, reflect upon the full extent of God's love in sending His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, to endure such a painful death that we might be forgiven our sins. Let us thank Him for what he has done for us," he said.

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Following prayer, the Scripture reading from St Matthew 27: 45-56, read by Canon John Merrick, the Dean recited another simple prayer imploring the glory of God for Mankind, and the entire congregation said a prayer of thanks before singing what is possibly Cecil Frances Alexander's most famous hymn, 'There is a Green Hill Far Awway'.

The service finished with another prayer and blessing before the pilgrims made their way back along the same route to the Deanery.