Diocese of Down & Dromore

Down Cathedral and Lighting the Beacon

A powerful Festival Service in Down Cathedral which culminated in Bishop David lighting the first of many beacons which will burn across the diocese this St Patrick’s Day weekend. Our preacher the Rt Revd Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster, spoke of how St Patrick’s humble faith, fired by the Spirit in the secret place of prayer, lit the torch of the gospel which travelled across the British Isles, defying the darkness of his day. Torches have been carried back into our churches so that on 17 March we will light beacons and pray that God would revive his church in this land.

  • Lydia Harvey and band
    Lydia Harvey and band
  • Watching over that beacon!
    Watching over that beacon!
  • Guest preacher, Rt Revd Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster
    Guest preacher, Rt Revd Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster
  • The Choir sing ‘Light the Fire’ by Dana
    The Choir sing ‘Light the Fire’ by Dana
  • The address
    The address
  • Pastor David Legge leads the intercessions
    Pastor David Legge leads the intercessions
  • A torch and oil went back to every church
    A torch and oil went back to every church
  • Bishop David consecrates the torches and oil
    Bishop David consecrates the torches and oil
  • Torch bearers stand for the act of consecration
    Torch bearers stand for the act of consecration
  • Torch carriers stand
    Torch carriers stand
  • Torch carriers in the narthex
    Torch carriers in the narthex
  • Prayer of consecration
    Prayer of consecration
  • Bishop David leans down to light the beacon
    Bishop David leans down to light the beacon
  • The first torch ignites the first beacon
    The first torch ignites the first beacon
  • The fire catches while clergy look on
    The fire catches while clergy look on
  • “Send the wind and fire of your Spirit”
    “Send the wind and fire of your Spirit”
  • The first beacon is lit
    The first beacon is lit
  • Bishop Jill lays the wreath at Patrick’s grave
    Bishop Jill lays the wreath at Patrick’s grave
  • Picnic in the pews
    Picnic in the pews
  • Andrew Muir, MLA and Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and Cllr Gareth Sharvin
    Andrew Muir, MLA and Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and Cllr Gareth Sharvin
  • Colin McGrath MLA and Baroness Ritchie
    Colin McGrath MLA and Baroness Ritchie
  • Lunch with Primacy and Dromara
    Lunch with Primacy and Dromara
  • Lunch with Donaghcloney
    Lunch with Donaghcloney
  • They’re younger in the back rows!
    They’re younger in the back rows!
  • Lunch with Bangor Abbey
    Lunch with Bangor Abbey
  • Dean Geoff and Bishop David
    Dean Geoff and Bishop David
  • Chatting at lunch
    Chatting at lunch
  • Revd Sam Johnston (who had just walked St Patrick’s Way) and Comber parishioners
    Revd Sam Johnston (who had just walked St Patrick’s Way) and Comber parishioners
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