Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

St Deiniol was a 6th century monk of Wales who came to be the ‘first bishop of Bangor’.  And a mighty bishop he was, too: Deiniol founded the two monasteries of Bangor Fawr (on the Menai Straits) and Bangor Iscoed (Clwyd), which, according to Bede, became the most famous monastery of British Christianity and came...

John Chrysostom (347 – 407) is the saint for anyone who applies their Christianity to public life, and also for anyone who hates travelling in bad weather.  Chrysostom did both, and had trouble both times. Born into a wealthy home in Antioch, John Chrysostom studied both oratory and law.  In 373 he became a monk,...

On Holy Cross Day the Church celebrates the Cross as a symbol of triumph, as the sign of Christ’s victory over death.   Holy Cross Day goes right back to 14 September 335, and we have the mother of a Roman Emperor to thank for it. Helena was a devout Christian, and after her son, Constantine,...

Teaching people to ‘tithe’ can be a delicate matter.  Some clergy teach ‘tithing’ well, and inspire their people to great generosity of spirit.   Other clergy teach ‘tithing’ at least well enough, and get their people’s sluggish cooperation. But – there are clergy who teach ‘tithing’ badly – and then, watch out!   St Adam (bishop 1213...

Cyprian is the saint for anyone who has given up a successful career in order to serve God in a difficult Christian ministry. For, before he became a Christian, Cyprian ‘had it all’. He was a renowned Orator of Carthage, teaching rhetoric and advocacy. But then, in AD 245, when he was in his mid...

Ninian was a Celt who was born about 360, in southern Scotland.  He was remarkable for two things:  he was almost certainly the first man in Scotland to live in a little white stone house, and also the first to preach the gospel to the Scots.   Just as remarkable:  becoming the apostle to the Picts...

Archbishop of York’s Presidential Address to General Synod Gaza food system ‘like Hunger Games’ – Archbishop Hosam Pray for Armed Forces amid ‘uncertain’ times, General Synod hears General Synod calls for a funding of palliative care General Synod approves redress scheme for survivors  Synod backs national spending plans for next three years Synod approves transformation...

Have you ever sinned since you became a Christian?  Really sinned – or in other words done something that was SO wrong and totally ‘out of line’ with being a Christian that you are still ashamed when you think of it now.  If so, and if you went on to ask God’s forgiveness for it,...

If you want to make the most of every minute of your life, and to use your various talents to the utmost, then Hildegard is the saint for you. Born as the tenth child into a nobleman’s family in the Nahe valley of the Rhineland during the High Middle Ages, Hildegard stood out from others...

Archbishop Stephen delivered the Presidential Address at the opening of the July General Synod group of sessions in York: I think it was Graham Greene who said, ‘If you are going to jump, make sure the water is deep.’ As I have spent a working lifetime of ministry reflecting on both the theology and the...

Joseph of Copertino (1603 – 63) should be the patron saint of all awkward people who mean well, but who drive those around them to distraction – especially their church leaders. Joseph began life in a garden shed, because his father had sold the house to pay debts.  Then he grew up wandering about open-mouthed...

Why not become a councillor? Was the children’s summer holiday too long for you? Schools to teach children that being worried is not a mental health condition Dog walkers warned of deadly risk Learner drivers must wait months for driving test Which milk is best? What time you should stop drinking the night before How...