Dr. Atola Longkumer
Jabalpur
Torphichen is a picturesque and ancient village outside Edinburgh city in Scotland. It is told that the existence of a Christian place of worship at Torphichen goes back to the year 400, linked to St. Ninian. Later, history tells about the arrival of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, also known as the Hospitallers in the 12 century to Torphichen. The status of Parish was granted to the Kirk by King William IV in 1168. The Torphichen Kirk (kirk is the Scottish word for church, which is a Germanic derivation from the Greek work, kyreiakon, meaning Lord’s house) of today holds many remnants and reminders of their ancient history. As one enters the Kirk, one cannot miss the rugged stone chiseled by time in the Kirk yard. It is called the “Sanctuary Stone” and tradition goes that it might even be pre-Christian Gaelic practice of providing protection and fair trials to offenders and transgressors, which was probably Christianized. Within the area of the sanctuary stone, “life and limb” of anyone was protected in the name of God.
On the right of the Kirk yard, a copper beech tree stands, bearing a metal plate that tells the story of post-World War II reconciliation gestures between Germany and UK. The tree was gifted by the people of Langschied, Germany. Torphichen and Langschied were paired, as the two countries rebuilt their communities after the WW II.
A few steps and one will notice the “Millennium Cairn” which commemorates the church millennium. The “Millennium Cairn” is a time capsule, which holds the history and vital modern information of the village, buried in the Cairn.
Large stone tables are also seen in the Kirk yard, which is a grim reminder of the grave robbers of eighteenth century. These stones tables provided an ‘undisturbed resting place’ for the dead, protected from the grave robbers for the bodies.
A few sloping steps to the Kirk entrance, and one notices the War Memorials of the two World Wars, that bear the names of the parish members who lost their lives in the Wars. It is told that special memorial services are held on the Sunday closest to the Remembrance Day in November, which emphasize not only the lost and sacrifice of lives in wars but also for peace in the world.
The ancient history and carefully preserved heritage continue inside the Torphichen Kirk, with vivid portrayals of symbols from the past. The architecture of the Kirk is Georgian keeping the typical Presbyterian setting of the Kirk. The beautifully embroidered cross of St. Ninian waves by the pulpit. The boxed pews with colourful painted panels are also reminders of the days where social ranks were maintained rigidly.
The gallery panels exhibit the Arms of Coats for the three patrons, reminders of the days whence the rich and the powerful were also the privileged in the sacred place. Coats of Arms of those who provided the land, the money, and the Lord of the village are preserved in the Kirk.
The Torphichen Kirk has seen time and its ebbs that have borne both great and not-too-great souls through its gates, nourished and protected, while life lasts. Today it is a worshipping home to a lively and active community that shares both the Holy meal as well as a leisurely Sunday lunch. Today’s Torphichen Kirk is modern as any community can be, connected to the world, and tuned to the global Christian community. To illustrate the point, the minister was clad in the traditional Church of Scotland minister’s shirt (rabbat) and the clerical collar, over which was worn a beautiful batik shirt that has taken its globalised route of starting in Kenya, Thailand, China and reaching Scotland. The hymnals included hymns from around the globe, even the communion response was sung in a Peruvian version. The Torphichen church has a partner church in Kenya, which enables the members of the Kirk to relate and host Christians from Kenya just as they receive hospitality from the Christians in Kenya.
Its ancient heritage somber, joyful, and inspiring is expressed in its programmes, which are inter-generational, creative and engaged with the world. The Kirk has an artist resident, who leads the members in creative expression of their faith. For instance, on the window panels, there were two recent art pieces: a tower of prayer and tree of peace. The tower of prayer was made of traced and cut out handprints of the members, hands lifted up, giving shape to a form of a tower, meaningfully signified the community bonded together in prayer, love, and hope. The tree of peace was decorated with origami designs with prayers written for a troubled part of the world for peace.
A visit to Torphichen Kirk is truly worthwhile if visiting Edinburgh. The history, the friendly people with their love and pride in a heritage of ancient lores of goodness and hope as their forebears lived their days were truly inspiring. To make a sweeping statement, it can be said that most European, particularly, Western European villages would present to a visitor, history akin to the Torphichen Kirk, a fair share of Christian roots, feudalism, social ranks, and tragedies of wars. The visit to Torphichen Kirk and learning of its rich history drove home the fact that, to make a grand statement again, the Europe of today has evolved through centuries, which saw settlers in the woods, Christians monks, isolation, social ranks, feudalism, explorations, experiments, misery of wars. Depending on where one stands in the political and economic spectrum, some would say Europe has learnt to live, yet there will be some who will say, Europe is still a work in progress, one needs just to mention the squabbling powers and the recent travails of the Euro.
I take delight and hope with the vision of those who are tuned to the misery, plight, joy, hope and resources of the global humanity, a vision that is ever willing to listen, learn, include and work together for a common humanity. A vision that makes the congregation at Torphichen Kirk sings the following hymn:
“Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live,
A place where saints and children tell, how hearts learn to forgive;
Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of Christ shall end divisions.
Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true,
where all God’s children dare to seek, to dream God’s reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol of God’s grace;
here as one we claim the faith of Jesus.
Let us build a house where love is found, in water, wine and wheat:
a banquet hall on holy ground, where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space,
as we share in Christ the feast that frees us.
…Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face;
let us bring an end to fear and danger.
Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace,
let this house proclaim from floor to rafter.
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place”. (Marty Haugen)
