Vor Frelsers Kirke
(The Church of Our Saviour) – Christianshavn.
Vor Frelsers Kirke
is a truly unique church, distinguished by the staircase that wraps its way around
the outside of the church spire. I
attended the church service, delivered by the most wonderful Priest. The Priest explained the spire is commonly
thought of as a staircase to heaven. But
he preferred to think of it as God’s staircase down to us. The priest had a few choice analogies.
We sang hymns in English,
Danish (and German, I think) a sort of evangelical Eurovision song
contest. But the Priest made it lively
and fun, remarking on the history of each song, its author and what the song meant
for him.
The service was solemn at
moments. This has been the week of the
bombings in
Vor Freslers Kirke has the most beautiful baroque style organ. Truly intricate in its design, it was a
wonderful accompaniment to the variety of languages singing below. The Church has also has a marvelous alter depicting
Jesus at Gesthemane
The Organ has a bust of
Christian V at the Centre. The Priest remarked that he thought of the King a
bit like God since the bust of Christian V, in a sense, like God he thought,
had no hands. We form Gods hands and
that we all have find our tune and our part of the organ in the orchestra of
life. We have learn to live in harmony.
The Priest reflected on
the cross and pondered why the central symbol of the Christian Church happened
to be an instrument of torture. There
was a beautiful stanza in one of the hymns.
Though all earthly things
I cherish
like the flow’rs may fade and
perish,
You, I know will stand
beside me
And from death and judgment
hide me,
You have paid the wage of
sin.
After the service the
Priest shook my hand warmly and we exchange pleasantries. Shortly afterwards I set off to climb the
spire. As expected, the view
was spectacular. The staircase
narrows toward the top of the spire and moves with the wind. I quickly returned back to earth.
The Church website can be
found here
