Iconic Scottish Presbyterian cathedral marks its 900th anniversary with special recognition

Last year, St Giles'attracted a massive 1.5million people from across the world and the Scots' Parliament motion, submitted by Lothians Conservative politician Miles Briggs, commends the cathedral for its enduring significance and efforts by its clergy to engage with people of all faiths in the city.

The hallowed Scottish national Kirk is where Protestant reformer the Rev John Knox delivered fiery Presbyterian sermons during the 17th century.

Knox was founder of the Church of Scotland and at St Giles' cathedral he strongly opposed the nation's establishment when occupied by a Roman Catholic monarch. He was effectively the leader of the Protestant Reformation in Scotland.

John Knox was a controversial but highly influential figure. His conviction was that the Protestant Reformation was "God’s cause" and must triumph, a conviction he had a remarkable power of impressing upon other minds. He was the rock upon which the Reformed Church in Scotland was built.

It was said Knox's power as a Calvinist preacher "lay in his capacity to fuse reason with emotion and to be a passionate logician in the pulpit".

Presently, Rev Dr George Whyte, interim moderator of the Church of Scotland and local minister of St Giles, has expressed gratitude for the recognition bestowed by the Scottish Parliament, affirming the congregation's commitment to continued service in the years ahead.

Dr Whyte said: “It’s always nice when people see what you’re doing and value it. So for everybody involved in the team at St Giles, this public recognition is very welcome as it’s a sign that what they do matters and makes a difference”.

Rev Whyte emphasised the importance of finding a balance between focussing on the tourism side of the cathedral and also keeping it primarily, a place of worship. St Giles is primarily a church and the church stuff takes place on Sundays and the holy days of the Christian year and every day with a short mid-day service” he said.

The parliament motion highlights St Giles' role as a dynamic centre celebrating Scotland's heritage and culture. The influx of visitors underscores the cathedral's dual function as both a historical landmark and an active place of worship.

* The Church of Scotland is the 'Mother Church' of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, which was founded by Scottish clerics during the Scottish Plantation of Ulster years of the 17th century when tens of thousands of Scottish families moved into the north of Ireland and established congregations. This movement.of Ulster-Scots was followed by Presbyterians heading in significantly large numbers across the Atlantic to the American frontier lands.