Pax Christi Peace Icon at Westminster Cathedral

Pax Christi's Icon of Peace will be on display in St Patrick's Chapel, Westminster Cathedral, London between 3 - 17 August. People are invited to visit the Icon and spend time in prayer and reflection for peace.

The Icon, made in the Monastery of St John in the Desert, near Jerusalem, was given to Pax Christi International in 1999. The people and stories depicted on the Icon, from Eastern and Western Christian traditions and from scripture, open our eyes to forgiveness and reconciliation as part of making peace.

In recent years the Icon has been in many cathedrals, churches and schools in England and Wales. It has also been in HMP The Mount. Its presence is powerful as as source of reflection on peace and forgivemess.

This is expressed in the comment of one English resident of the prison. "I like the Icon, Esau and Jacob standing on the sword making peace. I have to as
well. I will pray for my family, the people I have hurt by my crimes and their families also".

Pat Gaffney of Pax Christi said: 'We are delighted that the Cathedral will host the Icon. We have chosen this time which marks the 70th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the anniversary of the end of World War II. Both remind us of the constant need to challenge the causes of war and work for peace. The Icon and its message contribute deeply to this call to peacemaking".

See more information on the Icon here: http://paxchristi.org.uk/resources/pax-christi-icon-of-peace/