The Road to the Cross - Hawthorn and Speedwell
Bob Gilbert traces the associations of British wild plants and the Passion of Christ. In the third programme; the hawthorn crown, the road to the cross and the humble speedwell.
Speedwell, one of the genus Veronica, associated with St Veronica who gave Christ her veil to wipe his face as he carried his cross to Calvary.
This programme begins with the torture of Jesus and the weaving of a crown of thorns. This is represented in British tradition by the hawthorn, a plant that is particularly rich in folklore being associated with spring and the coming of new life as well as with death and decomposition.
Bob Gilbert and Brother Sam seek out the tree and consider its connections, both sacred and profane, and the ways in which seemingly contradictory elements come together in a single story and a single plant.
The story moves on to the road to Golgotha as Christ carries his cross to the place of his crucifixion. It it includes the traditional story of Veronica,
who steps forward to wipe the sweat and blood from Christ's brow with her veil. Bob and Sam search the city streets to find the plant that now bears her name and has come to be associated with aiding people on their journeys; the Veronica or speedwell.
The programme includes readings and music by artists responding to these events.
Presenter: Bob Gilbert
Producer: Julian May
Last on
Broadcasts
- Wed 8 Apr 2020 09:45大象传媒 Radio 4 FM
- Thu 9 Apr 2020 00:30大象传媒 Radio 4
