The day I met John Knox.....

I was back at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland yesterday where they were holding a special service to mark the 450th Anniverary of the Scottish Reformation. This coincided with the hottest day of the year so far, 77F, and wall-to-wall sunshine. Edinburgh was mobbed with tourists, marathon runners and Assembly attenders so I chose to leave the car and let the train take the strain - remember that advert?. Anyway, the Assembly Hall was also packed and hot however it was a really interesting service. The readings and speakers gave life and light to a part of our country's history that we all now take for granted. The Reformation was the beginning of the huge sea of change in our country and lead to the period of our history called The Scottish Enlightenment, when Scots were among the most literate citizens of Europe, with an estimated 75% level of literacy. This change all began with ordinary men, like John Knox, who stood against the might of the Roman Church. At the service yesterday actor John Shedden played the part of John Knox and spoke his words about the new confession of faith. It was very moving and helped to service to connect with those brave reformers of 450 years ago. Afterwards I took the Right Rev John Christie, Moderator of the General Assembly, and actor John Shedden down into the quadrangle to have their pictures taken with the famous statue of Knox in the background. It was a historic picture in more ways then one.