I’d really like to write about Benedict of Nursia, Abbot of Monte Casino, Father of Western Monasticism, celebrated by the Church of England on 11th July. My reading on monasticism in the Anglo-Saxon period in England reveals that much of what we consider normal, ordered, Anglican worship owes a surprising debt to the monasteries. And none were more significant in England than the Benedictines.
But I need a holiday.
This is a shame because I also have to go to General Synod. This year, the York Synod starts on Benedict’s day, 11th July. In advance of that, I have papers to read, further meetings to attend, loose ends to tie up and emails to answer.
Please excuse my absence for a fortnight.
If you’re new here, why not look at what I wrote last year about St Swithin, whose day falls on 15th July.
Turned Out Nice Again
15th July should be a happy day in Winchester. I’ve not been there to see if the town celebrates St Swithin, after whom the Cathedral is named. For most of us, however, St Swithin’s Day is connected with predicting the weather. You may have heard a rhyme that goes like thi…
But if you’re read that, you are not totally bereft. Fresh content is coming.
Next time, I’ll have another video about Bishop John Hooper. Watch previous videos here:
This time, why not head on over to Seen and Unseen, for an article I just wrote about whether I should read the next book in the Game of Thrones series.
The article starts like this:
Should you start something if you can’t be sure it’s going to finish?
More specifically, should I read A Dance with Dragons by George RR Martin?
It’s book five in the Game of Thrones series. The author is 76. Fans have been waiting fourteen years for book six, The Winds of Winter. And many are doubting the book will ever arrive, let alone book seven, A Dream of Spring. If current trends continue, HS2 will be completed faster than the Game of Thrones book series.