Following the sad death of HRH Prince Philip, Escrick Church will be open tomorrow, Saturday 10th April, between 2pm and 4pm should people wish to call in to light a candle, pay their respects and for private prayer. Should anyone wish to lay flowers, they are very welcome to do so near the War Memorial in the Churchyard. The Church flag is being flown at half-mast and a bell was tolled earlier today as a mark of respect.
Joining with other Bell towers across the country, one of our bells will also be tolled, half muffled, at 12 Noon for 5 minutes.
Due to Covid considerations, there will not be a physical Book of Condolence, however electronic Books of Condolence have been opened by the Church of England and Royal Family at these links: https://www.churchofengland.org/remembering-his-royal-highness-prince-philip and https://royal.uk
And here are statements shared by the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Selby.
Statement by the Archbishop of York on the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip
I join with many of you across the country as we mourn the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip was a remarkable man who lived a life of service dedicated to his country, to his wife, Queen Elizabeth II and his family.
At eighteen, Prince Philip joined the Royal Navy and served with distinction throughout the Second World War. At the same time, the beginnings of a cherished friendship with Princess Elizabeth began to blossom.
That friendship resulted in a marriage which lasted for over 70 years and has been a source of mutual joy, support and comfort in private moments but equally as they have both navigated a very public life together.
Having become the longest serving British consort, Prince Philip has been unstinting in his support, leading Her Majesty to famously comment. ‘he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years.’
His faith in Jesus Christ was an important part of his life and one which shaped who he was.
For so many in this country and around the world, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an enormous part of Prince Philip’s legacy. The award has allowed countless young people to develop and discover skills, which have instilled confidence in them and given them an encounter of working together for the common good.
Prince Philip was patron to hundreds of charitable organisations, covering a wide range of disciplines all of which benefited from his wit and wisdom and his inquisitive mind.
Do join me in praying for members of the Royal Family as they mourn and may God bring them comfort. As we give thanks to God for a life lived to the full, may Prince Philip rest in peace and rise in glory.
The Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell
Archbishop of York
A response from the Bishop of Selby to the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip
It is with sorrow that I join with you in mourning the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the
Duke of Edinburgh, a man whose life was one of dedicated service to this country, to the Queen and
to his family. His down to earth speaking, his passion for the wellbeing of young people through the
Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and his role as patron of many organisations won him the
affection and respect of many. His zest for life was clearly seen in his enthusiasm for sport and the
environment. The trauma of his family’s life following their exile from Greece when he was a baby
and his education in France, Germany and this country, followed by service in the Royal Navy, bred
in him a resilience which he drew upon as the Queen’s husband of over 70 years and her consort of
69 years. As we trust him to God’s merciful keeping we do so in Easter hope. May he rest in peace
and rise in glory.
+John Selby