CHRIS TITLEY anticipates another great moment in the history of our great cathedral.

THE arrival of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in York tomorrow heralds a triple celebration. The royal visit will hail the role of the northern Church in Millennium year, the restoration of the West Front of the Minster and York's status as the country's second city.

The Queen accepted a personal invitation from the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, to come here.

"I felt, in this Millennium year particularly, we should celebrate northern Christianity and the life of the northern province. It was on that basis that I wrote to Her Majesty," Dr Hope said today.

"The second consideration was that the West Front of York Minster has now been completely restored at considerable expense and over a long period of time.

"The third thing is York is the second city of the realm, being very proud quite properly of its history, traditions and roots, and the fact that Constantine was proclaimed Emperor here.

"It seemed to me these things were important considerations. I felt it would be good if the sovereign made a visit."

Dr Hope said he was delighted to learn that his invitation had been accepted.

At 11am tomorrow the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will attend a service of thanksgiving in York Minster led by Dr Hope that will celebrate both the Millennium and northern Christianity. Bishops and other church representatives from across the North will be there. A special service sheet with pictures from all 14 dioceses in the northern province has been designed.

Dr Hope said the dioceses range "from Chester in the west to the Scottish borders, down to Nottingham and up to Newcastle. It's a very wide and varied life and we are bringing all of that together and giving thanks for the Christian tradition in these parts."

This can be traced back to at least the early years of the fourth century. In 312, six years after he was declared Roman Emperor in York, Constantine issued a general edict of toleration for the Christian Church.

And the very first York Minster was a church specially built for Bishop Paulinus to baptise Edwin, the king of Northumbria, in 627.

Paulinus is one of three northern saints whose lives will be recalled by Dr Hope in his sermon tomorrow. The second is the poet Caedmon, an illiterate herdsman whose song of creation came to him in a visionary dream. He was a member of the Whitby monastery founded by Hilda, Dr Hope's third saint, whose story he will use to illustrate the contribution of women to the Church and the wider community. These include "farmers' wives, miners' wives, wives of ship-builders in the North-East. In times of crisis women have played a very significant part".

Today the northern Christian tradition "continues to be reflected in the life of the Church both on the western side of the Pennines and on the east, both in town and country. Some are very troubled urban areas, some are troubled rural areas".

Dr Hope said the royal visit was one of a number of focal points during Millennium year which included the Millennium Eve Minster service. In addition, "the Minster has just completed the most spectacular presentation of the Mystery Plays which I think has been highly successful", he said.

Dr Hope believes that the visit of the sovereign can bring York together tomorrow.

"I do recognise that there are people with mixed feelings about the Royal Family but the Queen herself has been a very remarkable person who is held in great affection by many people.

"I look forward to York welcoming her in the customary way."

The royal visit is the second major event at York Minster in a few days. One of the most remarkable weeks in the cathedral's great history began with the final night of the Millennium Mystery Plays last Saturday.

The Dean of York, the Very Rev Raymond Furnell, closed the production with a speech delivered standing alongside those playing the devils.

He told the assembly: "Nothing in the history of the Minster can match the events of the past four weeks". Turning to the cast, he said: "You have given all of us not just a powerful theatrical event, by a spiritual experience enriched for us and I hope for you by performing in this magnificent House of Prayer."

His remarks barely had time to echo around the huge church before work began to ready it for the Queen's visit.

The Dean, who has overseen this terrific logistical operation, said today: "What we have had to do is begin the derigging at midnight on Saturday, after the last presentation, so by half past nine on Sunday morning we had got the building back for the 10 o'clock Eucharist.

"All the lighting was stacked in the South Transept, and the seating gantry for a thousand people had begun to be dismantled."

By the time he returned to the Minster, in the middle of the afternoon, all the seating had gone. The stage quickly followed suit.

This week, a dedicated team of workers has removed the props, including Christ's cross. The lavish Mystery Plays costumes have been donated to the Theatre Royal for future productions, apart from some children's costumes which will stay at the Minster for use by school parties. By last night the Minster's own chairs were back in place.

Planning for the Millennium Mystery Plays began in 1997. At that time did the Dean know that the Queen's visit would follow in such close proximity?

"No! And that is a no with an exclamation mark," he said. "I didn't know until, I think, about April of this year."

His reaction? "I thought it might be a touch tight." But he knew how important the Queen's visit was, especially in Millennium year, and immediately set about preparing the changeover.

As a result he is confident everything will be in place well in advance of the royal arrival at the Minster's West Door tomorrow.

After the thanksgiving service, 600 guests will gather in two of the marquees that were put up for use during the Mystery Plays. The Queen and Duke will visit each.

A walkabout in Duncombe Place follows, then the royal party will enjoy a private lunch for 56 people hosted by the Archbishop and Dean at the Treasurer's House.

Dean Furnell said: "I am very, very pleased with the way that our own staff have worked so hard with the contractors to turn the Minster around so quickly," he said. "It's absolutely amazing."

He admitted things had been hectic, but added: "It's been good fun. It's been tiring but it's that sort of tiredness you don't mind because it's been so rewarding."

PICTURE: The cross used during the Mystery Plays was removed from York Minster yesterday

Picture: Frank Dwyer