Benefice of Bewcastle, Stapleton, and Kirklinton with Hethersgill
Bewcastle Cross – Good Friday
This is the liturgy we used around the Bewcastle Cross on Good Friday for the first time in 2024, which includes a recital of the Anglo-Saxon poem ‘The Dream of The Rood’. However, it almost certainly isn’t the first time it has been read around this cross – I suspect it was recited on Good Friday every year in the 700s when the monastic community existed at Bewcastle. The liturgy is reproduced here for those who might be interested in praying through it themselves.
A recording of the service (excluding the hymn), including the reading of ‘The Dream of the Rood’ can be found here:
Service rubrics and explanations are in red italics,
parts said together in bold.
The Service
‘Rood’ is the Anglo-Saxon term for a cross. The Bewcastle Cross is one of the most important Anglo-Saxon monuments in northern Europe, dating from the early 700s. Still in its original location it was erected to beg prayers for a nobleman, probably a king, but also to act as a focus for the daily offices and meditation at the heart of the monastic community here. All the prayers in this liturgy are Anglo-Saxon and were probably used by the monks and nuns who lived at the monastery around this cross. ‘The Dream of the Rood’ is one of the greatest religious poems written in (Old) English and dates from the same period as this cross. It has close associations with it and its sister at Ruthwell in south west Scotland, on which part of the poem is engraved. It may well have been written to be read at these crosses as we do today.
We gather outside around the cross, or in the church if the weather is inclement. When all are ready:
The Welcome
Welcome to this ancient and holy place where, for over 1300 years, our Christian forebears have gathered to worship, meditate on the cross, and pray. Today we join with them.
On Good Friday, the Church focuses on commemorating the Passion and crucifixion of Jesus. Since the fourth century, the ritual of the Veneration of the Cross has been part of this tradition. During the service, we listen to readings that focus on the events of this day, and towards the end, you are invited, if you wish, to come forward and show reverence to the cross, the climax of our salvation, perhaps by touching it, kissing it, bowing before it, or just sitting silently at its feet.
Please see the note at the end of the service sheet explaining a bit about what veneration is and isn’t.
The encounter we have with God on Good Friday is the most profound of the year and the act of veneration one of those moments when we respond in a very individual, personal way. Today we meet God at his most vulnerable and most powerful – a day of paradox in which defeat is really victory and where one man’s death leads to life for all.
Let us pray.
O thou whose supreme devotion did not refuse the burden of bearing crucifixion,
by whom the sins of the human race were taken away as so heavy a burden,
when you were uplifted by your own arms like a pure lamb to sacrifice:
I beg you to extend the hand of your mercy towards my sins,
and to erase all my crimes completely,
O noble and resolute Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen
Behold the Cross on which was hung the Saviour of the world.
We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee because by thy Holy Cross thou hast redeemed the World.
Amen.
Hymn
We pray together
O Height of humility and Fortitude of the week,
By your humility you have raised up our fallen world.
You permitted the cruel hands of sinners to raise you on the rood.
I offer thanks, and pray that, by this, you will lead me from all wilfulness.
Draw me from earth to heaven:
Do not forsake your lost sheep, but carry me in your arms
that I may be found within your fold,
blessed Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Gospel Reading
Let us pray
Almighty God, Lord Jesus Christ,
You stretched out your pure hands on the rood for us,
And redeemed us with your holy and precious blood;
Enable me so to feel and understand this mystery
That I may attain true repentance and unfailing perseverance
All the days of my life.
Amen.
The Dream of The Rood
Listen! I will tell the best of dreams Which I dreamed, the middle of one night While, far and wide, all speech-bearers slept. It was as though I saw a wondrous tree Towering in the sky, suffused with light. Brightest of beams; and all that beacon was Cased with gold. Jewels studded lovingly At its earthen base, just as there were five Upon the cross-beam: all those beautiful through eternity Beheld there the angel of the Lord. No felon’s gallows that, but holy spirits, Mankind throughout the Earth, and all this marvellous creation, Gazed on the glorious tree of victory. And I with sins was stained, with guilt stricken. I saw this tree of glory brightly shine In gorgeous raiment, all bedecked with gold. The Ruler’s tree was with gems Worthily adorned; yet I could see beyond that gold The ancient wretched strife, when first Upon its right side it began to bleed. I was with sorrows all disturbed, affrighted At the stunning vision. I saw that brilliant beacon Then change its clothes and hues; sometimes it was Bedewed with blood and drenched with flowing gore, At other times it was with treasure all adorned. So there I lay gazing on the Saviour’s tree, In spirit grieving for a long, long while, Until I heard it utter sounds. The best Of woods began to speak these words to me: “It was long ago – yet I remember still – That I was hewn down at the grove’s end, Stripped from my roots. Strong foes there took me, Command me hold aloft their felons, Made me a spectacle. These men bore me Upon their shoulders, till on a mount they set me, A host of fiends there fixed me. And then saw I the Lord of all mankind Hasten with eager zeal that he might upon me Mount. I durst not against God’s word Bow down or break, when I saw tremble all The surface of the earth. I might then Have felled those foes, yet stood I fast. The young hero (who God Almighty was) Disrobed himself, resolute in heart and strong. He climbed the lofty gallows-tree, Bold in the sight of many, For his intent was mankind to redeem. I trembled as the warrior clasped me. But still I dared not to the earth bend down, Fall to the ground. Upright I there stood firm, A rood was I, raised up; I held on high The noble King, the Lord of heaven above. I durst not stoop. With dark nails they pierced me; The scars still clearly seen upon me, The open wounds of malice. Yet for him I dared not harm them. They mocked us both together. All sodden with blood was I, Which from his side poured out, when forth He sent his spirit. Full many a cruel fate On that hill have I endured. I saw the God of hosts stretched grimly out. Darkness covered the Ruler’s corpse with clouds, His brilliant brightness; shadows passed across, Black in the darkness. Weep all creation, Bewail the King's death; Christ was on the cross. And yet saw I men coming from afar, Hastening to the Prince. I beheld it all. With sorrows I was grievously oppressed, Yet willingly I bent to those men's hands, Humbly. They took up there Almighty God, And from the heavy torment lifted him. The battle-warriors left me standing steaming in his blood, Wounded all over with spears was I. They laid him down limb-weary; And at the corpse’s head they stood, beheld The Lord of heaven, as there he rested For a while, weary from his bitter agony. Hewed they then a sepulchre for him In sight of his tormentors. Carved it of the brightest stone, and set therein the Lord of victories. Then, wretched in the eventide, they sang a dirge for him; and when away they went, Wearily from that glorious Prince, there he stayed, alone. Yet remained we there fixed and weeping in our places A good long time after the warriors’ voices Had from us passed away. The corpse grew cold, The fair abode of life. Then to the earth men Felled us down. That was a dreadful fate. In a deep pit they buried us. But friends And servants of the Lord learnt where I was, And girded me with gold and silver. Now may you understand, dearest warrior, That I have suffered deeds of wicked men And sorrows grievous. Now the time is come That far and wide on earth all shall honour me, And all this great and glorious creation, And to this beacon offer prayers. On me The Son of God once suffered; so glorious now I tower beneath the heavens. And I may heal all those in awe of me. Once I became of tortures the cruellest, Most loathsome to all nations, till opened I For mortal man the right way of life. Listen! The Prince of glory honoured me, And heaven's King exalted me above All other trees, just as Almighty God For all mankind raised up his mother Mary Above all other women in the world. Now, my dear warrior, I bid you That you this sight shall say to all, Reveal in words, this is the tree of glory On which Almighty God once suffered torments For mankind’s many sins, and for the deeds Of Adam long ago. He tasted death Thereon; and yet the Lord arose again By his great might to come to human aid. To heaven he rose. Again the Lord himself, Almighty God, and all his angels with him, Will come onto this earth to seek Mankind at the day of doom, when he, the final Judge, Will give his verdict upon every man, What in this fleeting life he hath deserved. Nor then may any be free from fear About the words to him the Lord shall say. Before the crowd he shall ask where that man is Who for God’s name would suffer bitter death As formerly did he upon the tree. Then will they be afraid, and few will know What they may say to Christ. But there need none Be fearful if he bears upon his breast The best of beacons. Through the rood each soul May to the heavens journey from this earth, Who with the Ruler thinks to go and dwell.” Then prayed I to the tree with joyous heart And eagerness, where I was all alone, Companionless; my spirit was inspired With keenness for departure; I’ve lived Through many hours of longing. Now my hope in life Is that the tree of triumph I may seek Alone more often than all other men, Well it honour; my wish for that is great Within my heart, and my plea for support Is turned towards the rood. I have on earth Not many noble friends, but they have gone Hence from earth’s joys and sought the King of glory, With the High Father live they now in heaven And in glory dwell; and I wait each day For when the cross of God, which here on earth I formerly beheld, may fetch me from This transitory life and carry me To where there is great bliss and joy in heaven, Where the Lord’s host is seated at the feast, And it shall set me where I hereafter May in glory dwell, live in lasting bliss Among the saints. May God be friend to me, He who suffered once on the gallows tree Here on earth for the sins of men. He us redeemed And granted life and heavenly home. Hope was renewed with glory and with joy For those who suffered burning in the fires of hell. The Son was mighty on that fateful journey, Happy and victorious, when The one Almighty Ruler with him brought A multitude of spirits to God's Kingdom, To joy among the angels and the souls Of those who already in the heavens dwelt In glory. Then almighty God had come, The Ruler, where his dwelling was.
A long period of silence follows (5-10 mins) for reflection, prayer, and meditation. There is absolutely no compulsion or expectation, but if you wish, during this time you are invited to come and venerate the cross by touching, bowing or kissing. Afterwards, just return to your seat or leave in silence.
Adoration or veneration of a representation of Christ’s cross does not mean that we adore or worship the material image, but rather what it represents. In kneeling before the cross or kissing it we are paying the highest honour to our Lord’s cross as the instrument of our salvation. Because the cross is inseparable from His sacrifice, in reverencing his cross we are actually adoring Christ in just the same way we might honour someone with a bow and a kiss on the hand, and thanking him for his incredible love for us.
You may wish to use this Anglo-Saxon prayer in your meditation:
Lord Jesus Christ, most glorious Creator of the world,
splendour of your Father’s glory and co-eternal with him and the Holy Spirit.
You stooped to take our flesh from a pure virgin,
and permitted your glorious hands to be nailed to the cross,
that you might cast down the gates of hell and so free humanity from eternal death.
Look in mercy upon me, an unhappy wretch,
weighed down by my sins and contaminated by the taint of my many failings.
In your mercy do not give me up,
but as a loving father forgive my worst sins and guilt.
Hear me as I lie before your adorable and glorious cross,
that in the end I may be worthy to stand before you,
pure and delightful in your eyes;
for you live and reign God for ever and ever.
Amen.
Please leave in silence when you are ready.
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