Goin' to a Kirkin'

[piperdbh]

Meanwhile...


What all can you tell us about that cape?

[Grae]

Deleted

[MacBean]

from Merriam Webster, "Middle English (northern dialect), from Old Norse kirkja, from Old English cirice — more at church]". Under church, we find, "Middle English chirche, from Old English cirice, ultimately from Late Greek kyriakon, from Greek, neuter of kyriakos of the lord, from kyrios lord, master; akin to Sanskrit śūra hero, warrior".

OK, I sort of follow, except from the jump from sura to kyrios

[macwilkin]

CajunScot , I Think ThistleDown has "scotched " that source!

It certainly matches my research, but a good historian always looks at all potential sources.

T.

[CopperNGold]

WolfmanJack, I think you look fabulous, and you should have a good copy of that photo framed. You went all out for a special event, and although it may not be traditionalist (and I usually lean that way), it suits you. What a sight it would be to see you in all of that finery walking in the snow! Bravo!

[ThistleDown]

from Merriam Webster, "Middle English (northern dialect), from Old Norse kirkja, from Old English cirice — more at church]". Under church, we find, "Middle English chirche, from Old English cirice, ultimately from Late Greek kyriakon, from Greek, neuter of kyriakos of the lord, from kyrios lord, master; akin to Sanskrit śūra hero, warrior".

OK, I sort of follow, except from the jump from sura to kyrios

Hmmm, yes, I don't quite follow that jump, either. I have some relevant thoughts on the evolution of Old English to Middle English as a language, the development of the Northumbrian dialect and the Scots language, with the latter sending tendrels back to Scandinavia -- but that would be an even further tangent for this thread.

I, too, would like to know more about the cape, WolfmanJack, and the process of chosing it as an accessory?

[ThistleDown]

CajunScot , I Think ThistleDown has "scotched " that source!

I suppose I was a bit blunt, wasn't I? I'm sorry, Grae. What I really meant to say was that folk (particularly our American cousins) have been pretty exhaustive in their research on this and have not found that tale to be credible. There have been many words written on the subject of Kirkin of the Tartan elsewhere on this forum, for example. But, as cajunscot said a couple of posts along, there's always room for more research. Again, my apologies if I came across as cutting you off from carrying on with that research.

Rex

[iustus]

I wanted to make a quick comment on MacLowlife's point:

clergy, who might object to the lack of "inclusivity"


Blessings can be more general and they can be very detailed and particular.

To proclaim God's blessing on a particular departed soul, is particular.
To proclaim God's blessing on "us" or the world, is more general.

When blessing water or salt, usually there is a detailed prayer, often recounting God's work in creation with something from biblical story etc before asking that the thing to be sanctified.

Concrete and particular blessin can help focus the intention of the folks present and also contextualize the thing being blessed; making connections between lets say salt and healing or purification.

Prayers that are particular blessings have a long history, the votice office ie for the dead, and votive Eucharist or Mass for healing or marriage as another example.

Though I have never presided at a Kirkin, I have played them in my younger years. The congregations were mixed in origins: Scots, English, German, Caribbean, African American, Japanese etc. together. My limited experience was that folks were glad to be part of blessing Scots and the likes, much like folks were glad to be part the "steel drum mass" or even the "jazz mass" or for that matter the more traditional "chant mass" and with prayers for particular peoples of particular heritage. In Austria many years ago at a mass on the 4th of July, there was a blessing of the ex-pat Americans.

Some two cents.

peace,
Fr. Justin

[WolfmanJack]

Judging by the high level of spiffiness, I'd say it is a fairly important event and also a rather special occasion? Traditionally, I believe the dress Argyll jacket, patterned hose cuffs, and medallion sporran are all about as formal as one might get for a daytime event. The fly plaid is perhaps a bit over the top, but overall I think this is still a very sharp look.

I'm curious to know what other people were wearing? And was there a specific dress code for this service?

Our Kirkin' is an evening service that ends with "Evensong" and is followed by a high tea, highland dancing and piping. Thus, it is a rather formal evening event that allows for a bit of 'bling.' In addition, I was a key participant in the actual conduct of the ceremony (reading "Listen Men" from the pulpit)

I can understand why you would think the fly plaid a bit OTT. You see, one very moving part of the service is "The Blessing of the Tartans," where the congregation is invited bring forward their clan's plaid for blessing. Thus, I thought it fitting to wear my fly plaid.

As with any Scottish event, the dress is all over the place; from Prince Charlies, to black Argyles, to tweed Argyles, to just a waistcoat.

[WolfmanJack]

My only question is this - How does it work together with the cape? Did you wear the cape for the duration of the ceremony? If not, does the fly have to come off and then be re-affixed after the cape is removed? I would be really interested in how the whole procedure works.
Chas

The fly plaid is just tossed over my left shoulder, balanced there by the weight of the plaid in back and the brooch in front. Yes, when I am inside, the cape comes off and the plaid is slipped under my left epaulet where it hangs balanced fore and aft.