Stratford-upon-Avon: Icons of St Benedict and St Gregory to be blessed at special service in medieval Guild Chapel

An earlier icon of St Benedict by Father Alex Echeandia

The Catholic parish of St Gregory, Stratford-upon-Avon, has commissioned a Benedictine monk, Fr Alex Echeandia, from Lurin monastery in Lima, Peru to write two icons of St Benedict and St Gregory. On Thursday 3 September, the Feast of St Gregory, they will be blessed at a special service in the medieval Guild Chapel in Stratford together with an icon of Christ Pantocrator, which will be installed in the Anglican parish church of Holy Trinity.

The Service of Blessing will be preceded by two talks in Stratford Town Hall to be given by Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, and by Abbot Jeremias Schroeder, Abbot Primate of the world-wide Benedictine Order.

Lurin monastery is a foundation from Belmont Abbey. During the service, eight monks from three Benedictine monasteries (Belmont, Douai, and Downside) will sing the antiphons and psalms for the Feast of St Gregory and the choir of Holy Trinity will complete the service with a setting of the Magnificat and an anthem. The talks will begin at 1pm and the service at 4pm

No charge but please register by ringing 01789 292439 or emailing: stgregorytg.sua@rcaob.org.uk

LINK

Church of St Gregory the Great: https://stgregorys-stratford.org/