THE OLD - Old Wirral.com

CHANCEL RELICS IN WIRRAL OLD CHURCHES
ment was taken down and affixed to a
stand (often of considerable magnitude
and beauty) in front of the Sepulchre.
Other lights were frequently kindled at the
same place, and the Sepulchre was
solemnly watched from the time of its
erection until the dawn of Easter, when
the Host was placed upon or over the altar.
This watching of the Sepulchre was a paid
service usually done by two men, probably
serving in watches alternately, and entries
for their payment occur in almost every
known churchwarden's book of pre-
Reformation date. This watching had its
utilitarian advantage as well as its symbolic
signification, for it became customary to
offer a great number of tapers to be burnt
before the Sepulchre, so that it would be
necessary to have someone on the spot
night and day, for fear of fire, and to see
to the frequent extinguishing or renewal
of these smaller lights.
On Easter Eve the perpetual light that
had been removed to the front of the
Sepulchre, and all other lights there, or
that might perchance happen to be anywhere
else in the church, were solemnly
extinguished.
The hallowed or holy fire
was then kindled in the church porch by
177
II