People of all ages joined together for a civic service on Tuesday (21 May) to commemorate the 1,350th anniversary of the birth of St Bede.
Bishop Sarah led the service at St Paul’s Church in Jarrow, which celebrated the life and legacy of the man widely regarded as one of the great Anglo-Saxon scholars.
It was one of several events taking place this week leading up to the start of the Jarrow Festival on Friday (24 May), concluding a six-month programme of anniversary celebrations.
St Bede, also known as the Venerable Bede, lived and died between the twin monasteries of Wearmouth and Jarrow between 634/635 and 735AD. His bones were later taken by a visiting to Durham Cathedral in 1022 where they have since been contained within his tomb.
At Tuesday’s service, Bishop Sarah was joined by community organisations, dignitaries including the Mayor of South Tyneside, church representatives and six local schools, with pupils involved in leading the prayers. Bishop Sarah asked those present to think about what St Bede might be surprised about in today’s world.
Suggestions included the historic building still standing, that he is still widely remembered and that there are now women Bishops! It is understood the Venerable Bede had a keen eye for detail, and Bishop Sarah acknowledged this by using a magnifying glass.
This week will also include an ecumenical service with South Tyneside Churches Together at on Wednesday (22 May) from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, and the Jarrow Lecture, carving ecclesiastical spaces in the age of Bede with Jane Hawkes FSA, Professor of Art History at the University of York, on Thursday 23rd May, at 7.30pm.
Both events will include refreshments and will take place at St Paul’s, Jarrow.
Following the opening of the Jarrow Festival on Friday (24 May), there will be a Choral Evensong at Durham Cathedral on Saturday (25 May), including a pilgrimage to St Bede’s Tomb.
St Paul’s Summer Fayre will get underway on Sunday (26 May) from 11am to 4pm.
All photos from the service are available to view on our Flickr page.