Canterbury Cathedral

It was a privilege to welcome the Baton of Hope relay this afternoon.

To find out more about the Baton of Hope and to support their work, visit batonofhopeuk.org

#BOHTour2025 #PASSITON

Many congratulations to the first cohort of students from the Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS) graduating at the Cathedral today.

We hope you have a great day, and we wish you well in your future careers.

#KMMS

Cardinal John Morton died on this day 525 years ago.

Chancellor and royal advisor, he became Archbishop in 1486 and was involved in the construction of the Cathedral’s Bell Harry tower in the 1490s.

This medieval design of pinnacles was probably intended for the archbishop’s approval.

The annual Hop Hoodening Service returns tomorrow!

We’re excited to welcome back this uniquely Kentish celebration of the hops and harvest.

The 11am service is followed at midday by dancing in the Precincts and through Canterbury. All are welcome. Free to attend; with retiring collection.

✨ Thank you to everyone who joined us this week for Wonderful Weaving - as part of our FREE* Medieval Make & Do activities! ✨

Visitors were invited to weave their own creations, inspired by the breathtaking 'moon landing' installation🧵🧣

*Included free with a valid form of Cathedral admission.

#OnlineArtExchange – this week's theme is Religious Art ⛪

This beautiful bronze statue known as 'Our Lady of Canterbury' was made in 1981, by Sister Concordia of Minster Abbey, Thanet.

Other works by her can be found in Westminster Abbey and St Thomas Fifth Avenue, NY.

@artukdotorg.bsky.social

On behalf of the Cathedral, Dean David accepted the generous gift of three pectoral crosses by local designer Michael Butler.

These silver crosses are dedicated to St Augustine of Canterbury, and comprise three design elements – a circle, cross and a dove.

#OnlineArtExchange – this week's theme is Abstract 🧵

'moon landing' is a duo work by British textile artist and designer of woven textiles, Margo Selby, and award-winning composer, Helen Caddick, currently in the Cathedral.

www.canterbury-cathedral.org/moon-landing

@artukdotorg.bsky.social

We're delighted to announce that the cleaning of the wonderful Christ Church Gatehouse has now finished - this was the final spot of stone!

Cathedral Conservators used various techniques to clean the stone, including a chemical poultice and lasers – an extremely delicate, slow and skillful process.

We're taking part in the @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange – this week's theme is Film and Cinema 🎬📽️

In our historic visitors’ book is the signature of Charlie Chaplin, famous actor and film-maker in the age of silent film, who visited in 1956 with his fourth wife Oona.

On behalf of Canterbury Cathedral, Dean David wishes a Happy Fourth of July to all of those celebrating Independence Day today.

Today, as #InternationalPortraitDay, is a perfect opportunity to highlight our remarkable set of portraits of Deans from the 16th century onwards. 🎨🖌️

Learn more in this article by Cressida Williams, Archives and Library Manager: artuk.org/discover/sto...

Image © Canterbury Cathedral

#MysteryMonday 🔍

What appears to be a mermaid is actually a siren.

According to Greek mythology, sirens were dangerous creatures, whilst mermaids were gentle. This siren is combing her hair and singing, in order to lull some sailors to sleep. Once asleep, she will attack and tear them to pieces.

Huge congratulations to our Director of Music, Dr David Newsholme, who has been made an Associate of The Royal School of Church Music (ARSCM) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to church music.

The Honorary Awards will be presented on 4th October at Christ Church, Oxford.

Our #ObjectoftheMonth is a diary, kept by William Henry Longhurst (1819-1904), from 1848-1850.

Longhurst was involved in the Cathedral’s musical life for 70 years.

The volume was purchased from Simon Beattie, bookseller, with a grant from the Friends of the Nations’ Libraries. @thefnl.bsky.social

Today the nation commemorates the 80th Anniversary of ‘Victory in Europe Day’ (VE Day), which marked the end of the war in Europe on May 8th 1945.

Join us - in person or live online - at 17:30 for a special Choral Evensong, followed by the Ringing Out in Celebration of Peace at 6.30pm (not live).

Best wishes to HM King Charles III on the second anniversary of his Coronation 👑

Today we will be praying for the King and the Nation, and our Bell Ringers will be ringing a special quarter peal this evening from 7.30pm.

📷 In 2023, we enjoyed a truly historic #Coronation Weekend at the Cathedral.

"England’s first cathedral this is.
When fourteen hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not."

Wishing you all a Happy Star Wars Day! 🌠

May the fourth be with you...

#DoOrDoNot #ThereIsNoTry #TheForceIsStrong #StarWarsDay #StarWars #Maythe4th #MayTheFourth #MayTheForceBeWithYou

Group photo of our newly attested Cathedral Constables

Congratulations to our colleagues who were certified yesterday as Cathedral Constables.

The Attestation ceremony formally recognised their completion of rigorous training that included legislation, police procedures, Cathedral history & ministry of welcome, first aid, and officer safety training.

Canterbury Cathedral's Nave

Following years of collaboration with local groups and academics, the Cathedral has published a review of its memorials and monuments, examining their history, the people and events they commemorate, and whether they are connected to enslavers or colonialism.

Read the Review at ow.ly/EVhh50VKxf5

Today we celebrate the Feast Day of St George, patron saint of England - also known as St George’s Day. 🐉⚔️

Did you know❓
St George is also featured in stained glass in the west window of the Cathedral's Chapter House.

#StGeorgesDay

Tudors and Stuarts Weekend 2025 Find out more and book on the events we have planned for this year's Tudors and Stuarts Weekend in the Centre for Kent History and Heritage at Canterbury Christ Church University.

✨ STARTING THIS FRIDAY ✨ Don't miss the Tudors and Stuarts Weekend!👑⚔️

Fri 25 April – Sun27 April , various times and locations

Find out more and book at ckhh.org.uk/tudors-stuarts

Image©️Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral

Have you heard @history-hit.bsky.social's #GoneMedieval episode on the Black Prince?

Held up as the epitomy of Medieval Chivalry, Edward of Woodstock – whose effigy tomb is in the Cathedral - is considered one of the great Kings of England who never were.

Listen at shows.acast.com/gone-medieva...

Such a wonderful atmosphere at today’s #PalmSunday blessing, procession, and Eucharist. Many thanks to all who joined us.

Missed the service? You can watch the livestream at ow.ly/hwKr50VzzjJ

#HolyWeek

We wish a happy Passover/Pesach to all those who are celebrating this week.

All are welcome to join us tomorrow (13 April) for our Palm Sunday services:

10:45 Blessing of the Palms and Procession
11:00 Palm Sunday Eucharist in the Nave †
17:30 Palm Sunday Evensong †

Find out more: www.canterbury-cathedral.org/easter

† Live streamed

Wishing a Happy Vaisakhi/Baisakhi to all who will be celebrating!

Our April #objectofthemonth is the fascinating painting by Thomas Johnson of the Cathedral Quire, dating from 1657. This is currently on display in the South Quire Aisle of the Cathedral.

Find out more ⬇️
www.canterbury-cathedral.org/thomas-johnson

© Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral

Last weekend, Margo Selby, British textile artist and designer of woven textiles, invited members of Cathedral staff and volunteers to her studio in Whitstable, to see the breathtaking textile art installation 'moonlanding', which will be hanging within the Trinity Chapel of the Cathedral from June.

✨ SIGN UP NOW ✨
Cathedral Cycle Relay 2025 🚵

📢 JOIN OUR TEAM 📢
We are looking for cyclists who would like to ride some or all of our stage of this year’s relay, from Canterbury to Guildford, 8 - 9 June.

Find out more ⬇️
www.canterbury-cathedral.org/relay