Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-05-11
"The Cross Triumphant" is
Enacted on Cathedral
Close
OVER 700 IN CAST
Is Graphic Perturbation of the March
of Religion Through the Centuries
-Alexandrians Have Part.

Washington, May 1l.-Christian-
! ity, its march through the centuries
in old England and the new world,
was depicted yesterday afternoon and
last night in a series of moving tab
leaus, "The Cross Triumphant" on
the spacious grounds of the Cathedral
Close, under the direction of Marie
Moore Forrest.
Based upon history and tradition,
with four interludes showing the in
fluence of poetry, music, art and the
drama upon the religious thought of
the world, the pageant from the pen
Of Marietta Minnegerode Andrews,
enacted by a cast of noted Washing
tonians and AleXandrians numbering
more than 700, presented an unus-
ual graphic perturbation Of the many
phases of Christianity's advance since
the birth Of the Saviour
The opening picture, sponsored by
Lady Geddles, wife of the Birth AM
bassador, showed Joseph of Arima-
thea, who had come to the British
Isles in the first century and implanted
the staff of Christionity, cut from the
tree of the Crown Of Thorns
Then follows the early days Of
persecution of Christians and the
sixth century auction block in the
market place of Rome wherechil-
dren of England are sold and-the
Benedictine Monk. Gregory, touched
by the sight of the slavery market,
resolving to carry the Gospel of
Christ to England.
In the fourth picture, Gregory,
having become Pope, fulfils his ear
lier resolve ard sends st. Augustine
to England, where. in the Kingdom
Of Kent he is welcomed by Queen
Bertha, a French princess, whose
husband, King Ethelbert, assepts for
his dominion the faith of the Crucified
One. This picture was sponsored by
Robert Bell. Queen Bertha, played
by the famous Mary Roberts Rinehart,
was particularly effective
Through the period of early Chris
tianity in the British Isles. the theme
of religious fervor wends its way up
TO the time of the Crusaders, when
the tomb of the Savious is rescued
from infdel hands by the imperious
Richard Plantagenet, of the Zion
Heart"
The scene then shifts to America,
when Sir Walter Raleigh comes to
Roanoke, Va, opening the way for
the church in the New World, Chris
tion baptism being administered TO
Virginia Dare.
Particularly inspiring was. the
tenth picture. depicting the first COM
munion at Jamestown, where the
sacrament is given the newly landed
colonists from England. The baptism
of Pocahontas, in 1915. was sponsored
by Mrs. Woodrow Wilson and Mrs.
George C. Minnigerode.
George Washington and the church
in the early days of the republic are
shown in the thirteenth picture in
which is depicted Pohick- -Church-on-
the Potomac The father of his coun-
try is shown with Mrs. Washington.
waiting for the bells to summon them
to worship.
The founding of st. Mary's School,
in 1912. at Raleigh, n. c., is quaint
presentation of early religious school
life. in barouche used by Danial
Webster. drawn by four horses, are
the first pupils~cf "tFre old school who
are welcomed by Bishop Ives.
Through the civil war period and
up to the recent days of conflict, goes
the thread of the drama.
Sealing the heights of pageantry is
the "Christmas Story in No Mans
Land, where the entrenched dough-
bows behold the spirit Of Christian
ity lowering above the battlefield.
The spirit of Christ comes to them
As on that first Christmas. Hailed
by angels, who sing "Holy Night"
the Saviour is born again in the hearts
of the "New Crusaders.
The homecoming, then, with the
strains of war music and the meeting
again with loved ones. while the
"Greatest Mother" reminds of the
sacrifices made for freedom and jus
tice.
"The Cross Triumphant" the f.
male shining with a new light, beck
ons from nearby hillside. Climbing
the steep ascent is little child, fol-
lowed by the peoples of all the ages.
Saints and sinners. kings and beg
CARS. all nations and all faiths. gath
er on the hillside in the shadow of
the Cross.
The offering is intensely human
and tolerant of all ftiths. Colorful
cnstomes. appropriate mnsic. lighted
bv mvriads of streamso f stationary
floodlights, the Gross Triumphant"
was a success of the first magnitude.