ONE of the UK's largest Advent wreaths has been installed at York Minster.
The three-metre wide wreath was made by the Minster’s volunteer flower arrangers using foliage from locations around the city.
Suspended below the central tower, the giant decoration holds five candles - each a metre tall and capable of burning constantly for three weeks.
One will be lit each Sunday during the four weeks of Advent, with the final candle illuminated on Christmas Day.
Children from the Minster School’s Pre-Prep and reception classes helped head verger Alex Carberry lift the candles into place, then watched as the giant wreath was raised.
“It’s become an annual tradition for the children to help install the candles and then magically ‘lift’ the wreath into place,” said Mr Carberry.
“We’re very lucky to have a talented and dedicated team of flower arrangers who spend around three hours making the wreath every year, using more than 12 metres of oasis and incorporating drip trays the size of kitchen woks to catch any wax dripping from the candles as they burn.
>>> Click here for the full gallery from Friday's installation
“The finished piece always looks stunning and becomes a focal point for worshippers and visitors throughout the Advent and Christmas period.”
Meanwhile, the Minster’s nave will be lit by around 2,000 candles on Sunday (November 29) when the cathedral holds its annual advent procession.
The service, which starts at 5.15pm, marks the start of the Advent season at the Minster, and is the first in a series of special events taking place during November and December.
Proceedings begin in darkness before a single flame is used to spread light throughout the congregation.
Each person holds a candle and passes the flame to their neighbour, as York Minster’s clergy and choir process down the nave from the Great West Doors.
“The Advent Procession is one of the most popular and visually stunning services in the Christian calendar,” said the Revd Canon Peter Moger, precentor at York Minster.
“Advent marks the start of the church’s year and is a season of preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate on Christmas Day. "
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