August 2021 - Candle in the Cathedral

I love visiting cathedrals and churches. In fact, I enjoy attending services there: one of my fond memories is being at a Welsh/English Sunday service at St. David’s Cathedral in Pembrokeshire a couple of years ago. Putting my heart and lungs into the Welsh hymns was fantastic (for me at any rate)!

A visit to Ely Cathedral was a highlight of August. I can’t describe it better than they can:

“Worship has been offered to Almighty God on this site for nearly 1400 years and the Cathedral continues to be a dynamic witness to the presence of God in the world, and of his love and care for each and every one of us. 

The Cathedral was founded as a monastery in 673 by St. Etheldreda … Destroyed by the Danes in 870, the monastery was re-founded as a Benedictine community in 970. 

Work on the present building commenced in the early 1080's under Abbot Simeon. The monks knew that only the best can ever be good enough to offer to God. They built this massive church as an offering to him, and the worship that has been offered here ever since is an echo in words and music of their practical work as builders.”

So, it’s quite old! But very well looked after. And still a very active place of worship and centre for the community. I always like the views of the altar from the congregations’ perspective: the beautiful artwork around the altar, the stained glass windows, the wall coverings, the wooden wall carvings. All of it make a beautiful and peaceful whole. 

But for me, the single candle burning on a table in front of the altar and the back of the church summed it up perfectly. A still flame, representing, maybe, the prayers of the saints, but certainly representing a peaceful and calm way to God.  I loved my visit there!