Hallgrimakirkja, Reykjavik

Named for Icelandic poet, Hallgrimur Peturrson, this church was built over the course of forty years, completed in 1986 as part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Iceland.  We were able to view the city of Reykjavik from atop the tower and heard the magnificent organ shortly after.  

Our trip began with a visit to the Blue Lagoon 

where we decompressed from a long flight, well two long flights in my case.  

From there we headed to the Thingvellir National Park, 

ate hot dogs at a famous stand in downtown Reykjavik 

and journeyed to the Gillfoss Waterfall which was pretty spectacular.  

After a long drive we found our B&B near the airport and crashed for the night.  

Here's are the opening lines from Hymns of the Passion, the epic work of Hallgrimur Petursson, written between 1614-1674:

Up, up, my soul, and all my flesh!

Up, up, my heart, and sing afresh.

My thoughts and tongue help me find words 

To preach the passion of our Lord.

St. Paul has laid his charge on us:

Proclaim the glory of the cross

And tell the torment and the trials 

Of Christ who for us poor folk died.

Since Jesus came to ransom me

He longed to die to set me free

My duty's to recall his death

And thank our Lord with every breath

At last grief pierces me within 

How little my devotion is!

That Christ is cursed in my own place 

Yet rarely i recall his grace...

Jesus, your Spirit grant to me,

So all may to your glory be

Sung, written, spoken, all i do

So others may be nourished too!