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Truth is becoming a commodity, up for auction to the highest bidder, says Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell in a recent article published in Radio Times. Lamenting the decline of truth in public life, the Archbishop explains “The echo chambers of social media and the fake news that often goes with it have led us...

Christianity has provided a blueprint for social improvement, according to the Labour Leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer. Writing in a recent issue of Church Times, he said, “For all the loss and difficulty, we should not let this year be defined by pain.  Throughout the pandemic, we have also seen the best of...

1          Brigid of Ireland – Abbess of Kildare, c 525 2          The Presentation of Christ in the Temple/ Candlemas 3          Anskar – Archbishop of Hamburg, missionary in Denmark/Sweden 3          Blaise – bishop of Sebastea 4          Phileas – Christian bishop/martyr of Egypt 6          The Martyrs of Japan – courage amidst persecution 8          Kew –...

– compassion and love Brigid, you could say, was the female Patrick of Ireland. Historical facts about this first abbess of Kildare (d.c. 525) may be scarce, but her ‘Lives’, written from the 7th century, tell many anecdotes and miracles which over the centuries have become deeply rooted in Irish folklore. Brigid came from a...

In the south of England, a new pilgrim path is emerging. Winding through downland, weald and shoreline for 250 miles, the Old Way from Southampton to Canterbury is derived from the oldest road map of Britain: the Gough Map, c.1360. Like the Santiago de Compostela in Spain, this ancient route has lain dormant for years....

– the Presentation of Christ in the Temple In bygone centuries, Christians said their last farewells to the Christmas season on Candlemas, 2nd February. This is exactly 40 days after Christmas Day itself. In New Testament times 40 days old was an important age for a baby boy: it was when they made their first...

– the busy evangelist Anskar (801-865) should be the patron saint of any Christian who loves doing mission… and who discovers that evangelists meet the most amazing people, and that their lives are full of surprises…. It was the 9th century, and Anskar had grown up in a noble family in Amiens. He decided to...

– the cure for sore throats St Blaise is the saint for you if you have a sore throat, or a pet who is ill. He was born in Sebastea, ancient Armenia, (now Sivas, in Turkey) sometime during the late 3rd century, and became a physician. But his compassion did not stop there: he went...

Surely the most severe form of lockdown this past year has been in our prisons.  Prisoners have been left in their cells for up to 23 hours a day, with all activities suspended. Whereas prayer and chapel services usually provide some outlet for prisoners, even these were halted. That meant that many prisoners with personal...

– the cure for sore throats St Blaise is the saint for you if you have a sore throat, or a pet who is ill. He was born in Sebastea, ancient Armenia, (now Sivas, in Turkey) sometime during the late 3rd century, and became a physician. But his compassion did not stop there: he went...

– brave bishop and martyr of Egypt When did you first encounter Christianity? If it was as an adult, then Phileas is a saint for you. His life shows that Truth matters, whenever you encounter it, but is also a warning that you need to count the cost of becoming a Christian. Phileas was a...

All in the month of February Remembering John Keats Celebrating 75 years of the RSV Version Fairtrade Fortnight: 22nd February – 7th March Leave them be The birds and bees Boom in unwanted pets National survey finds our favourite walks Potholes Smart bird Over-60s ** Editor:  We continue our column that looks at memorable dates...