Monday, March 31, 2014

Daily Rituals, Stained Glass, And Hallowed Ground

The largest cabinet containing the names of the dead from the First World War is the heart of the Memorial Chamber. The book within (one of two holding those names from that war) has a page turned once a day, right at eleven in the morning, a ritual undertaken by Parliamentary security officers every day.


I like the angels at each corner of the cover.


On a nearby wall, this panel is etched with the toll of the dead and places they served.


While this panel of marble carries an appropriate and solemn psalm.


Leaving the Memorial Chamber, these two stained glass windows caught my eyes. 


Of course, I have always had an appreciation for stained glass.


I'm wrapping up our look at Parliament Hill in a couple of days, since tomorrow is City Daily Photo Theme Day, with triangles as the theme.



29 comments:

  1. I love the marble panel with the Psalm, and the stained glass is enchanting.

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  2. Ah yes, triangles, don't tell me...

    The stained glass is beautiful and the turning of a page each day is a marvellous idea.

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  3. I like those stained glass windows too. Just beautiful.

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  4. If my eyes aren't deceiving me, that's one of the only references the 4-source theory (JPED) I've ever seen in stained glass.

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  5. The turning of the page at 11am, is really moving.
    Jane x

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  6. Linda: the same scripture is on an air force memorial in Britain.

    Ciel: we turned up on the toir right at that hour, so we watched it from the entry.

    Stuart: there seems no shortage of windows like that here.

    Revrunner: I'll have to look that up.

    Whisk: yes it is.

    Jane: it was the first time I found out about it, seeing it going on.

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  7. beautiful....and that stained glass...wow!

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  8. This has been a fab series of shots from Parliament House and the senate William, amazing details so beautifully shown, thanks so much.

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  9. i like the ritual and honor they give these souls.

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  10. A great series about this beautiful place.

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  11. The angels add a poignant aspect as do the stained-glass windows as if there may still be hope in spite of all those who have sacrificed their lives to political ambitions.

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  12. The angels are beautiful. I remember someone was using the room when I visited, so we had to be respectful (not that we wouldn't typically be!) while that person got to look up their loved one's name.

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  13. @Tanya: I'm glad the stained glass shots turned out!

    @Grace: thank you!

    @Tex: it's very dignified.

    @Sharon: thank you.

    @Luis: a good stained glass window is always welcome.

    @Lowell: I think so too.

    @Halcyon: I do know you can check ahead to see when a specific name in one of these books will be on display... it wouldn't surprise me that someone coming in specifically can arrange a personal viewing even if it's not on the scheduled day, if their grandfather, for instance, is among those names.

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  14. Those windows are so beautiful!

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  15. What charming stained glass windows! Almost makes the chamber look like a church, I bet!

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  16. How interesting, William!
    I love the angel and the stained glass.

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  17. This is an impressive memorial. I also loved those angels and the stained glass.

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  18. Very moving. Love the stained glass. The angels remind me, in a way, of the Ark of the Covenant....

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  19. Those are beautiful stained glass windows.

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  20. @RedPat: they are indeed.

    @Cheryl: especially when you incorporate scripture.

    @Karl: thank you!

    @Denise: it's a dignified place.

    @Norma: the whole cabinet does!

    @Barbara: I'm consistently drawn to windows like this, and mostly they're of a religious nature.

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  21. I didn't realize the page was turned every day. I'm impressed!

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  22. I love stained glass too! These are beautiful windows.

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  23. I like this post (wonderful colors in the stained glass).
    Thanks so much for your kind visits, thoughtful comments, and generous google +1s


    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral

    =^..^= <3

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  24. Impressive and noble. Canada does memorials very well!

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  25. How extraordinary to think that this ritual takes place daily - even now.

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  26. Some really beautiful images of a memorial still honoring the fallen of a long time ago.

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  27. @EG: it is a good tradition.

    @Linda: they are.

    @Cloudia: thanks!

    @Mike: it does.

    @Mark: true!

    @VP: thank you.

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