How Prince Philip paid homage to the Isle of Wight with haunting Russian hymn
Author Stephen Roman explains how a hymn chosen by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh for his funeral is connected to the Isle of Wight
The moving final hymn chosen by Prince Philip for his funeral left a lasting impression on an estimated 2.5 billion viewers around the world.
What lies behind the Duke’s selection of a Russian anthem for his funeral service? This considered and personal choice relates to ancestry. And what is most revealing are links with the Isle of Wight.
The
Russian Kontakion of the Departed is an ancient Kiev chant and has its roots in the Russian Orthodox Church. Its positioning in the order of the service made for a final message, rather than a footnote reference to a myriad of personal Royal connections.