r/Church_of_England

A shot from November 2023

There’s one nearby that is usually crawling with snowdrops, however this year there wasn’t many :’)

Issac Newton sent to school in the town and probably would have worshipped at this church.

St. Alban was a soldier who, according to the Venerable Bede, lived in Britain during the days of Emperor Diocletian. During a persecution of Christians he began sheltering priests within his house. When one of the judges demanded that he yield up a priest called Amphibalus, Alban submitted himself in the priest's place, declaring that he was a worshipper of the living God who created all things in heaven and earth. Alban was led to a hill outside of the city and beheaded with a sword, becoming the first recorded Christian martyr of the isle of Britain. The city of St Albans, named for him, stands on the site of Verulamium today, and the cathedral (housing his tomb) and the holy well stand at the site of his martyrdom.

In his struggle thine holy martyr Alban gained the crown of life, O Christ our God. For strengthened by thee and in purity of heart, he spoke boldly before the judges of this world, offering up his head to thee, who art the Judge of all.

Collect:

>Eternal Father, who, when the Gospel of Christ first came to our land [or, the land of Britain] didst gloriously confirm the faith of St. Alban by making him the first to win a martyr's crown: Grant that, following his example, in the fellowship of the saints, we may worship thee, the living God, and give true witness to Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen.

St. Etheldreda was born in Suffolk in 636, in the Kingdom of the East Angles; her father was Onna, the King of the East Angles. Onna's children were all devout Christians: in addition to Etheldreda herself, her brother Jurmin, and sisters Saxburga, Wendreda, Ethelburga and Withburga, are all regarded as saints. Etheldreda made a vow to follow Jesus from an early age, and wished to become a nun.

She married first Tondbert, Prince of the South Gyrwas, and then secondly Egfrith, King of the Northumbrians. Despite her marriages she remained true to her vows and eventually made her escape to the isle of Ely, where she founded an abbey and became Abbess.

She died in 679, her sister Saxburga succeeding her to the abbacy.

Ely Abbey was sacked and destroyed by invading Danes in 870, but was rebuilt by King Edgar the Peaceful in 970. King Richard II was also especially devoted to the saint.

Segments from a hymn by the Venerable Bede in Etheldreda's honour (translated by Robert F. Forgacs):

All-gracious Trinity, God who governs all ages, now favour my undertakings, All-gracious Trinity, God.

Divine gifts I shall sing, not the battles of pitiable Troy, the earth rejoices in these divine gifts I shall sing.

Fair consecrated Virgin, you bear the world's creator, Mary, Gate of God, fair consecrated Virgin.

Her honour brought forth many from this chaste stem, many virginal flowers her honour brought forth.

In fierce flames consumed virgin Agatha does not desist, Eulalia too endures to the end, in fierce flames consumed.

Kindled by her strength of mind chaste Thecla overcomes wild beasts, holy Euphemia too is kindled by her strength of mind.

Laughing at the swords joyful, Agnes stands harder than steel, Cecilia is joyful in dread danger, laughing at the swords.

Now our illustrious age too has blessed a virgin's life, bright Etheldreda now our illustrious age too has blessed.

Of a distinguished father born, and glorious royal line, she is nobler with the Lord, of a distinguished father born.

Possessing the honour of a queen she reigned on earth, and lives beyond the stars, possessing the honour of a queen.

Queen, why do you seek a husband, vowed to the bridegroom on high? To Christ betrothed, Queen, why do you seek a husband?

Spouse dedicated to God, for twice six years had she reigned, and then within a monastery was a spouse dedicated to God.

To Heaven wholly consecrated she flourished in lofty deeds, And she surrendered her soul, to Heaven wholly consecrated.

Zealous with hatred rages the Foe who had once conquered Eve; a virgin rejoicing triumphs, zealous with hatred rages the Foe.

Collect:

>O Eternal God, who didst bestow such grace upon thy servant St. Etheldreda that she gave herself wholly to the life of prayer and to the service of true religion: Grant that we, like her, may so live our lives on earth seeking thy kingdom that by thy guiding we may be joined to the glorious fellowship of thy saints; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen.