할그림스키르캬(Hallgrimskirkja) 안내. 레이캬비크(Reykjavik). 아이슬란드(Iceland)

할그림스키르캬(Hallgrimskirkja) 안내.

레이캬비크(Reykjavik). 아이슬란드(Iceland)

hallgrimskirkja.is

Hallgrímur Pétursson

Hallgrímskirkja (the church of Hallgrímur) was built in memory of hymn-writer th Rev. Hallgrímur Pétursson (d. 1674). Brought up ag Hólar, he went to Copenhagen at a young age, and studied at the Vor Frue college, among other places.

In Copenhagen he met his wife, Guðriður Simonardóttir. She was one of the Westman Islanders who wer kidnapped by pirates in 1627 and taken to Algeria, some of whom were subsequently ransomed by the King of Denmark. Hallgrimur was appointed to refresh their memories of the Christian faith, after their long stay among Muslims.

Hallgrimur abandoned his studies and returned to Iceland with Guðriður. He served for many years in the parish of Saurbær in the west, and this was where he wrote his best-known works, the Hymns of the Passion (Passiusálmar).

The fitfy Hymns of the Passion are an account of Christ's Passion. and the poet's meditations on the subject. The Hymns have been published more often than any other book in Iceland, and they became familiar to every Icelander. They have had more influcence on Icelanders' religious practice and prayer than any other book. The Hymns were read aloud in the home, and verses from them were recited daily as prayers. Ever since the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service was founded in 1930, the Hymns of the Passion have been read on radio during Lent each year.

One of his hymns, often printed wth the Hymns of the Passion, Um dauðans óvissan tima (On Death's Uncertain hour), is still sung at most funerals in Iceland.

The Hymns of the Passion have been translated into English, German, Hungarian, Norwegian, Danish and Italian, and some of them have been translated into Chinese and Dutch.

Hallgrímskirkja

In 1929, on the initiative of the parish of Reykjavik Cathedral, a competition was held to design a church for the hilltop site at Skólavörðuholt, in memory of one of Iceland's greatest devotional poets, the Rev. Hallgrímur Pétursson. The church was to seat 1,200 people, and have a tall tower which could serve as a radio mast for the soon-to-be-founded national radio service.

In 1937 State Architect Guðjón Samúelsson (1887-1950) was commissioned to design the church. He had already designed many public buildings, among them the University of Iceland, the National Theatre, the Catholic Cathedral of Christ the King, and Akureyri Church.

Until 1940 Reykjavik was a single parish, whose parish church was the cathedral. In that year three new parishes were established: the parishes of Nes, Laugarnes and Hallgrímur. THe parish of Hallgrímur was to undertake to build Hallgrímskirkja (The church of Hallgrímur).

Construction of the church commenced in 1945, and in 1948 a chapel was consecrated in the crypt beneath the chancel. In 1974 another chapel was opened, in the south wing beneath the tower. And on 26 October 1986 the church itself was consecrated. About 60% of construction costs were derived from the parish's own resources, while the remainder was contributed by loacl and national government.

The interor of church is characterised by light and simplicity. The church contains works of art by some of Iceland's most renowned artists, such as Einar Jónsson, Leifur Kaldal, Leifur Breiðfjörð,

Sigurjón Ólafsson, Elín Stefánsdóttir, Sigrún Jónsdóttir and Unnur Ólafsdóttir.

In the tower is carillon of 29 bells, as well as three coordinated bells, named Hallgrímur Guðriður and Steinunn after the Rev. Hallgrímur, his wife, and their daughter who died young. All the bells are gifts from individuals and groups.

In 1992 a larger concert organ was consecrated in the church. Made by Johannes Klais organ-builders of Bonn, Germany, the organ has four manuals and pedals, in addition to a movable console located in the nave. The organ has 72 voice and 5,275 pipes. The organ is popular among both Icelandic and foreign organists for concerts and recordings.

In addition to conventional worship and parish activities, varied artistic and cultural events take place in the church. Two of Iceland's best choirs, the Hallgrimskirkja Motet Choir and Scola cantorum, are based at the church, in addition to children's and youth choirs. The Hallgrimskirkja Society of Friends of the Arts organises a variety of artistic events in the church, in the fields of visual art, music and theatre.

The Hallgrimskirkja Art Collection is responsible for the church's works of art, and holds exhibitions in collaboration with the Society of Friends of the Arts, both of the church's own art collection and of the works of various artists, with the emphasis on ecclesiastical themes.

The Hallgrimskirkja Women's Organisation is the oldest association within this church, its gifts to church include vestments and various ecclesiastical articles.

The parishioners of Hallgrimskirkja number about 7,000. The parish is served by two pastors, and organist (choir director/cantor), children's choir director, community workers, a youth worker, a manager and churchwardens, in addition to many volunteers who participate in various aspects of parish work. The parish council comprises 14 people.

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