Some days you go to church, other days are something of a conversion experience. Today was the latter. My seat for the Mass (although they don’t call it that here.)
There were two stations to receive Communion. One on the floor, standing, and you intincted. The other was at the high altar… each person receives a small silver chalice. You go and kneel at the altar, the priest places the host in your hands, you eat, then, the deacon comes and pours a small amount of white wine in your personal chalice. If you have to guess as to which way I went, you don’t know me very well. The choir—about 40 members—were singing something, I was receiving, and… they got it right. Beautiful. Again, all in Norwegian and I didn’t understand a word, but I did know the flow. In addition, the entire service was printed in the bulletin, so I could follow along. Lovely. The choir—I’m guessing paid—was amazing.
Following the service, I went for a coffee and a cookie, then began looking around. The first is a view from the back, the second, a view from the front.
Yes. It is startling in every aspect. A few more views from different angles throughout.
I then went up. 172 steps up a very narrow, claustrophobia inducing spiral staircase and you reach the top. Spectacular. I forgot to take a picture of the staircase, so stole one from the internet. The views were amazing.
This is “perhaps” the tomb of St. Olaf. During the reformation, much was removed, so there is no certainty as to which tomb is his. Silly Lutherans. Historians will tell us that Olaf was no real saint, but don’t say that too loudly amongst these people.
A chapel in the undercroft.
I’ve just begun reading The Kingsbridge Series (Pillars of the Earth is book 3.) I thought of it when I came across this series of models, showing the evolution of the cathedral.
I also had the opportunity to see the crown jewels of Norway. You are not allowed to take pictures, so I borrowed these from the web. What I was able to see were the real thing.
There is just entirely too much to show here. I spent about six hours in the cathedral and museums and didn’t even begin to touch on it all. I hope to show more pictures later.
My attempt at artistic photography.
Now we see in a mirror dimly. There is only one who is seen clearly. One who is True. One who is Life.
Candle in a Cave 