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Header graphic for coastal parishes. Shows images of the three church buildings, the coastal parishes logo, and text 'Coastal Parishes North Devon' and 'The church of England in Woolacombe, Mortehoe and Lee', with a background image of Woolacombe Bay. Overlayed image of St Sabinus - Woolacombe Overlayed image of St. Mary's - Mortehoe Overlayed image of St. Matthew's - Lee

September - Mellow Fruitfulness

A graphic of the window at St Mary’s Church in Mortehoe, showing four of the archangels, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel. The image is bordered with autumn fruits, nuts and leaves.The windows at St Mary’s Church in Mortehoe, showing four of the archangels, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel. 

During September, as the main tourist season ends and children return to school, we begin the transition from summer to autumn - a time of beginnings and endings.

This year, following an amazing summer, fruit trees are heavily laden with a bumper crop of fruit.  Blackberries are plentiful and clusters of tomatoes are ready to harvest.

At the end of September, the church recognises the feast of St. Michael and All Angels, a Christian feast day celebrated on September 29th. Traditionally, it marked the end of the harvest season, although modern agricultural harvests continue well into the autumn.  The date falls near the autumnal equinox, marking the shift from summer to autumn and the shortening of days.

The feast honours Saint Michael the Archangel, traditionally regarded as the leader of God’s armies, who defeated Satan in the war in heaven.  He is mentioned in the Book of Daniel (7:13-14) and in Revelation (12:7-12).  The name, ‘Michaelmas comes from a shortening of ‘Michael’s mass’, in the same style as Christmas (Christ’s mass) and Candlemas (Candle mass).

If you should visit St Mary’s Church in Mortehoe, there are the most beautiful stained-glass windows of four of the archangels, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel, and during an evening service, as the sun begins its descent towards the horizon, the glass is illuminated by golden rays which make the angels appear almost on fire.  Something I suspect the artist always intended.

The date of the feast is significant, not only as a religious event, but is seen as an important ‘quarter day’ (along with Lady Day, Midsummer and Christmas), which were important dates for legal and financial transactions, such as hiring servants, paying rent or leases begun.

Various traditions are associated with Michaelmas, including the eating of goose to ensure good fortune for the coming year and the legend that links Michaelmas to the Archangel Michael’s casting of Satan into a blackberry bush - Ouch!  -  after which, so legend has it, the devil scorched the berries with his fiery breath, stamped, spat and urinated on them, so that they would be unfit for eating!!  Charming!  An old story which has led to the belief that blackberries are to be avoided after Michaelmas, or that ‘the devil is in them!’

Whether or not you have had your fill of the glossy trusses of blackberries before the end of September, or indeed afterwards, I hope you will enjoy the beauty of the new season as summer draws to a close and we give thanks for an amazing summer.