Magnus Erlendsson was the Earl of Orkney in the early 1100s. He was a pacifist and refused to fight his cousin Hakon when they had a disagreement. Hakon ordered his cook Lifolf to kill Magnus, while he prayed, which he did with an axe to his head. Magnus became a saint and St Magnus Cathedral was founded in 1137. To-day the Cathedral is owned by the Orkney Islands Council (because the people raised the money to complete the building). It has a Church of Scotland congregation but can be used by any denomination.
The building is made of sandstone. It is a remarkable example of a 12th Century Cathedral with its narrow nave and hugh pillars. It is the center piece of attraction in Kirkwall.
Each year there is a St Magnus International festival. This year it is June 22nd to 28th. Of special interest to me is that the first concert is Rachmaninov Vespers sung by a group called Sonoro conducted by Neil Ferris. The same music that the Victoria Philharmonic Choir have just sung!
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