Kirking of the Parliament
Encyclopedia
The Kirking of the Parliament is a multi-faith service held to coincide with the opening of the Scottish Parliament
. To date, it has been held on four occasions, in 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011.
, Minister of St. Giles' Cathedral
, Edinburgh
. The services have typically consisted of readings from Scripture, The Quran, and Jewish prayers, and are concluded by an act of commendation. In a change from 2003, the sermon previously given by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
, was dropped from the programme.
, musicians from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
and National Youth Orchestra of Scotland
, and lobbyists.
Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament is the devolved national, unicameral legislature of Scotland, located in the Holyrood area of the capital, Edinburgh. The Parliament, informally referred to as "Holyrood", is a democratically elected body comprising 129 members known as Members of the Scottish Parliament...
. To date, it has been held on four occasions, in 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011.
Composition
All four instances of the Kirking have been led by the Very Reverend Gilleasbuig MacmillanGilleasbuig Macmillan
Gilleasbuig Iain Macmillan, is a minister of the Church of Scotland. Since 1973 he has served as Minister of St Giles' Cathedral, in Edinburgh, Scotland, which is sometimes described as the mother church of Presbyterianism. He is Dean of the Thistle and a Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II...
, Minister of St. Giles' Cathedral
St. Giles' Cathedral
St Giles' Cathedral, more properly termed the High Kirk of Edinburgh, is the principal place of worship of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh. Its distinctive crown steeple is a prominent feature of the city skyline, at about a third of the way down the Royal Mile which runs from the Castle to...
, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. The services have typically consisted of readings from Scripture, The Quran, and Jewish prayers, and are concluded by an act of commendation. In a change from 2003, the sermon previously given by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The Moderator of the General Assembly of Church of Scotland is a Minister, Elder or Deacon of the Church of Scotland chosen to "moderate" the annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which is held for a week in Edinburgh every May....
, was dropped from the programme.
Attendance
The service is attended by the leaders of all the main parties and previous Kirkings have been graced by the presence of the HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of RothesayDuke of Rothesay
Duke of Rothesay was a title of the heir apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of Scotland before 1707, of the Kingdom of Great Britain from 1707 to 1801, and now of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland....
, musicians from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is a conservatoire of music, drama, and dance in the centre of Glasgow, Scotland. Founded in 1845 as the Glasgow Educational Association, it is the busiest performing arts venue in Scotland...
and National Youth Orchestra of Scotland
National Youth Orchestra of Scotland
The National Youth Orchestras of Scotland has provided music education and performance experience for young musicians throughout Scotland since its formation in 1979....
, and lobbyists.