Spiral of candles to honour loved ones (From York Press)

Spiral of candles at York Minster to honour loved ones

9:14am Thursday 11th October 2012 in News By Megi Rychlikova, megi.rychlikova@thepress.co.uk

AN endless spiral of lights will gleam on the floor of York Minster in memory of the departed in three weeks’ time.

As the nights draw-in, the calm and hush of the Chapter House will become a shrine to those no longer with us.

Members of the public of all faiths and none will be invited to light a candle to someone they loved who has died.

Each tiny flame will be added to a line of candles on the floor which will gradually spiral outwards from the centre of the mediaeval Chapter House as more and more are added.

The organisers are hoping that 800 people will light a candle as York celebrates the 800th anniversary of its charter.

The unusual act of remembrance will be held on all four evenings of Illuminating York and is part of the festival which runs from October 31 to November 3 and which will see famous York landmarks ablaze with colour and light.

The festival includes November 2, which is All Souls Day when the Christian Church remembers all the departed. In several European countries it is the day when families visit their relatives’ graves. The festival also includes All Saints’ Day on November 1 when Christians remember particularly famous and holy Christians.

But organisers Footprint Impression Management Ltd stress the flames of remembrance are not just for Christians and that anyone is welcome.

A walkway will be set up in the Chapter House for people to walk round and see the spiral as it grows each night.

The organisers hope it will be an oasis of quiet in York Minster, which will also be the setting for other events in Illuminating York, including a spectacular lights display that visitors can walk through. York Minster will be open from 6.30pm to 8.30pm each night.