St Albans

I went into Snorbens, or St Albans, as it is more properly known, today to meet friends for lunch. The light on the south side of the Cathedral was stunning so here's a bit of historical seriousness just for a change.

The city of St Albans, is situated just to the north east of the former Roman town of Verulamium.
St Albans Abbey and Cathedral Church is the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain. It stands over the place where Alban, the first martyr, was buried after giving his life for his faith over 1700 years ago - more than 200 years before St Augustine arrived in Canterbury.

This is the story of Saint Alban:

At the end of the 3rd Century a man called Alban, believed to have been a Romano-British citizen of the Roman town of Verulamium, gave shelter to an itinerant Christian priest, called Amphibalus.

Impressed by what he heard Alban was converted to Christianity by Amphibalus.

When a period of persecution, ordered by the Emperor, brought soldiers in search of the priest, Alban exchanged clothes with him, allowing Amphibalus to escape and Alban was arrested in his place.

Standing trial, and asked to prove his loyalty by making offerings to the Roman gods, Alban bravely declared his faith in "the true and living God who created all things".

This statement condemned Alban to death. He was led out of the city, across the river and up a hillside where he was beheaded.

As with all good stories the legend grew with time. Bede, writing in the 8th century elaborates the story, adding that the river miraculously divided to let Alban pass and a spring of water appeared to provide a drink for the saint. He also adds that the executioner's eyes dropped out as he beheaded the saint, a detail that has often been depicted with relish since.

At the time of Bede there was a church and shrine on the hill that pilgrims travelled to visit, and it became an established place of healing.

The shrine of St Alban is now in the centre of the Cathedral and is still visited by thousands. There is an annual pilgrimage each year to the shrine made by representatives from churches throughout the Diocese of St Albans.

The Abbot's Kitchen cafe, in the modern Chapter house provides today's pilgrims with delicious cake (and other food and drink of course).

The dark lump in the tree on the right is a large clump of Mistletoe.
I will be standing under the tree throughout Christmas in the hope of a kiss.