rant: I confess, I prayed for you!

If I had to choose words to describe today, they would be Peaceful and Fortuitous. 6 splendid hours spent in the company of music, meditation and magnificence.

St. Pauls Cathedral is the Mother Church of the diocese of London and one of the city's most exquisitely crafted buildings. This entire post, I shall strive, but most certainly fail, to put into words what I felt and saw today.

When the original church burnt down during the great fire of London in 1666, the task of designing a replacement structure was officially assigned to Sir Christopher Wren. He's a name you chance upon a lot in Engalnd as he's been responsible for the design of over 50 churches. The construction of the Christian Baroque church took about 32 years to reach its present state. One look inside will tell you that this was with good reason. 6 million glass mosaic tiles, it's highest point at 365 ft (one for every day of the year), built at the current cost of 50 million pounds.

While it's tempting to delve into a lesson in architecture at this point, I shall instead choose to write about the things that wikipedia won't tell you : my personal experiences here :D

Why did I say that today was fortuitous? Well that's because the London Symphonic Orchestra was practicing here, right in the centre of the church. Beethoven's 9th. :)

And just when I thought that my luck couldn't possibly get any better, the orchestra was joined by a choir who came up and performed Ode To Joy! It is said that when a song is sung in this church, the statues vibrate. Well I could't really tell because the resonance was within me too! All my Church Park buddies, only you can truly understand the significance of me hearing this song, and performed so well. Missed you loads! What caught my attention most about the performance, was that not only the conductor, but all the lead signers were of Asian origin.

However, this unexpected performance did eat into my sightseeing time and I missed seeing the church crypt where people like Horatio Nelson and Alexander Flemming now call home, but I did make the journey up to the steeple top for a lovely panoramic view of London.

First, a snapshot from the whispering gallery. See the small circle with the railing in the centre? That's the first stop on the way up to the top. That's where i stood and took the picture below it.

And up at the top of a total of 530 steps, meet London:

That done, I came down to do what people usually do in churches :)

If you're on this mailing list, this candle was lit with with a prayer for you on my lips! I then sat in for Evensong in the Quire (not choir) of the church and listen to little angelic voices for a good 45 minutes. The Angelican prayer service was most simple and apt. No fuss, no complications and a soothing woman's voice reading the daily lessons. My only confession for the day? PHOTOS ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE CHURCH! But I sneaked all of these because I don't believe that beholding beauty must be made available only to those who are lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time. And I hope for that I am forgiven :)