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| Early history | The First Church | The Second Church | The Present Church | Incumbents | Map Parish Council | Church Community | The Benedicite Kneelers | Facilities | Photo Gallery | Links |
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History: The Benedicite Kneelers |
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   The heralding angel has been adopted as the symbol of Christ Church Deer Park. The Benedicite Kneelers Concept & Production Design Stitchers Betty Howson   The full text of the Benedicite is found on page 26 of The Book of Common Prayer and on page 82 of The Book of Alternative Services. It is the text of Song of the Three Children link » sometimes inserted in the text of the book of Daniel 3:23-91 (Apocrypha) Also backgrounder here »
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 The commissioning and installation of the new organ entailed a dramatic change in the layout of the Chancel. The old kneelers, aside from being somewhat tired, no longer fit the new altar rail. Rather than replicating, and adding to, the old set, new kneelers were recommended. The idea was received and approved with enthusiasm. The then Rector, Canon Ron Davidson, suggested the "Benedicite" as a theme - a Canticle taken from "The Song of the Three Children" in the Apocrypha and a paraphrase of Psalm 148. It is full of wonderful graphic images; the angels rejoice and praise is raised to all the works of the Lord. Text » Stitching began in February 1985. Eleven CCDP women participated in the work, with a nucleus of six working on every canvas. Original projections allotted five years to complete the stitching. In celebration of the enthusiasm and loving commitment of the stitchers, the project was completed two years ahead of schedule and the kneelers were dedicated on May 15, 1988. The work is comprised of thirteen sections and has a total length of 50 feet. More than 2,000,000 stitches make up the completed work. The design is continuous, radiating out from the central cushion that proclaims the main theme; "All ye works of the Lord, praise Him and magnify Him forever." The Benedicite Kneelers were shown in their entirety at the sesquicentennial Liturgical Arts Festival at St. James Cathedral, Toronto, in the fall of 1989, where they received an award for excellence in design and quality of stitching. Sections of the kneelers are often requested for display. They are included in the book, Art of the Spirit, Contemporary Canadian Fabric Art (Dundurn Press, 1992).
Benedicite, omnia opera – Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord is a canticle (from canticulum or little song) – a song based on a biblical text. The Benedicite or Song of Creation, is a paraphrase of Psalm 148. It is also called The Song of the Three Children, referring to three Jewish young people, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who gave thanks for deliverance from the fiery furnace referred to in the third chapter of the Old Testament Book of Daniel. BENEDICITE, OMNIA OPERA - Song of the Three Children O all ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord, praise... |
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History of CCDP
Introduction | The First Church | The Second Church | The Present Church | Incumbents |
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Christ Church Deer Park 1570 Yonge Street Toronto, ON M4T 1Z8 Home | Location / Map | Links | Top of Page This page updated: 30 May 2009 |
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One of 3 Chapel kneelers which were commissioned as a memorial and completed several years after the main altar rail kneelers