Diamond Jubilee window dedicated

6 Jun 2012

The Master, Past Masters and members of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and the Glaziers' Trust gathered at Southwark Cathedral on Sunday 3 June to present a window to the Cathedral which they had commissioned and funded to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. After the Chairman of the Glaziers Trust (now the Glaziers Foundation), Past Master Stephen Graham, presented the window the Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, dedicated it to be set apart for the service of Christ's holy Church and in honour of Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.  

The dedication took place during Choral Evensong.Prior to this, members of the Glaziers had joined members of the Southwark Cathedral congregation in watching the Royal Pageant on the River Thames pass London Bridge.  

At the beginning of the service the Greater Choir of Southwark Cathedral had filled the Cathedral with the wonderful sound of Parry's 'I was glad' including the chant 'Vivat Regina'.The lowest part of the design of the window contains the text Vivat Regina! Defender of the Faith, Diamond Jubilee 2012 and the heraldic symbol of the Glaziers CompanyThe window was designed and made by Icelandic artist Leifur Breidfjord, who is based in Reykjavik and is a Fellow of the British Society of Master Glass Painters.  

In his sermon, The Dean of Southwark, the Very Revd Andrew Nunn, said, 'We were so excited by the window and we're even more excited now that it's installed.We have no other window like it in the Cathedral and it completes the range of windows in the Retrochoir.

'Walking into the Retrochoir now you're drawn by the powerful statement that the Diamond Jubilee window makes. Even on the darkest day it shines brilliantly, sucking every drop of light and energy from the sun and projecting it into the calm space of the most ancient part of this Cathedral church.  

He went on to say 'Her Majesty has led us with such majesty and such grace and devotion.....Her reign of sixty years has been a blessing to the nation and the Commonwealth and indeed the world, and her Christian witness has been clear and consistent.'  

David Ingmire said, 'The dedication of the window at such a joyful moment in national and local celebrations enables the Glaziers to give thanks to God, not only for Her Majesty's remarkable reign, but also for the enduring link between our Company and the Cathedral'.  

The complete text of the Dean's sermon can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/6tedk5n
Photographs of the service can be found on Flickr: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzPVbxJ
A video of the installation of the window can be seen at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJCfnXKLvis&feature=youtube_gdata_player  

The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass is one of the ancient Livery Companies of the City of London, whose Hall is next to Southwark Cathedral. Details of the Worshipful Company can be found at: www.worshipfulglaziers.com

Ends.