Schools & Families Department. Find Out About The Cathedral

Transcription

1 Schools & Families Department Find Out About The Cathedral

2 What is a Cathedral? It is a giant church. Do a google search for different types of churches in Britain. There are lots of different shapes, sizes. Different types of churches are called denominations. St Paul s is UNIQUE both inside and outside! It is also very famous. It is part of the denomination called the Church of England. Just look at the huge dome on the top! St Paul s was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. It was completed in It took 35 years to build! There has been a Cathedral on this site since 604 AD. This is the fifth one! The others were destroyed by fire. The Cathedral that stood here before this one burned down in the Great Fire of London in The Church of England is divided into areas called Dioceses. St Paul s is in the Diocese of London which is led and cared for by the Bishop of London. The Bishop has a special seat in the Quire area of St Paul s called a Cathedra and this is what makes it a Cathedral! The Cathedra Can you see the Bishop s hat (mitre) on the top?

3 Ambulatory = An area at the East end of the Cathedral, behind the High Altar. In medieval times, in Cathedrals, this was where a shrine (tomb of a saint) would be. Pilgrims would walk around here. Apse = A semi circular area at the East end of the Cathedral. Canons = The Priests who lead services in the Cathedral. Chapel = A small worship area in a church or Cathedral Chapter = The Canons and others who help the Dean to run the Cathedral. Crossing = The area that links the North and South Transepts. It forms the horizontal part of the cross shape of the building. Crypt = The underground part of the Cathedral. Famous people are buried in tombs or remembered there. Dean = Priest in charge of a Cathedral. Nave = The largest area in the Cathedral. 859 people can be seated in this one for a service at any one time! The word Nave means ship in Latin. It is the area where seats are placed for people to come together and worship. Priest = A man or woman who believes that God has called them to serve him by teaching people about the Christian faith, leading church services, baptising, marrying couples, conducting funerals, caring for everyone in the parish (the area around the church within a Diocese). Worship = Christians and other believers do this to tell and show God how special he is to them. It might include: prayer, singing, praising, silence, lighting candles, thinking deeply, dancing, kneeling, incense.

4 If you looked down from a plane in the sky above the Cathedral, you would see that it is shaped like a cross. This is the symbol of Christianity and it reminds us that this is a place of worship for Christians. Jesus died on a cross and this is remembered on Good Friday. On Easter Sunday they remember that he rose from the dead. Wren wanted his Cathedral to be unique and special. There are many large rectangular windows. Wren wanted it to be always full of resurrection light! East end The Crossing Transept Nave West end (where the great wooden doors are) On each side of the nave there are huge stone pillars. For hundreds of years Christians have thought of the nave as being like a ship, sailing through the sea of life, held together by God (pillars) when the wind and waves roar around it. (life s problems). At the West end is the Font. It is near the doors because when someone is baptised this reminds them that they are coming into the Christian faith. They are starting a new journey as a Christian. THE FONT Babies or adults can be baptised at St Paul s. At a Baptism water, poured on the forehead reminds them that all the horrible things in life (sins) that separate them from God are being washed away. The Priest also makes the sign of the cross with water to show that Jesus loves them.

5 What goes on at St Paul s? St Paul s is often nicknamed the Nation s Church. Many National services are held here each year. These are often held to celebrate or remember special events in the country. Drama, dance, debates and concerts often take place here too.

6 A Place of Prayer for Everyone! Every hour, on the hour, each day, a Priest stands at the Lectern, (a book stand for the Bible) near the Altar, (a table where we remember Jesus with bread and wine), under the Dome. Everyone is asked to stop and be silent whilst prayers are said for everyone who lives and works in London and for people throughout the world. The Lord s Prayer is also said. This is the prayer that Jesus taught people to say and it is recorded in the Gospels in the New Testament part of the Bible. Prayers are said at all services in St Paul s. The Dean at the Dome Altar A Lectern Light is an important symbol in many world faiths. A candle flame always reminds Christians that Jesus said he was the light of the world. They believe that he brought light back into a dark world when he rose again from the dead. They celebrate this at Easter time each year. Christians and others often light a candle when they pray for someone, or pray about something that is happening in their lives.

7 Places, objects, clothes and more! The Crypt This is under ground! It is the area where many people who have served their country in some way are buried or remembered. There are tombs and memorials. Florence Nightingale is remembered down there! There are also chapels in the Crypt. The largest one is the OBE chapel for those who have been awarded this medal from the Queen. The Pulpit This is a raised box near the Dome Altar in the Cathedral where the preacher stands. This is the person who teaches everyone about the Bible during services. Reading from the Bible and teaching are important parts of all worship at St Paul s. Lord Nelson was a famous Naval leader and this is his tomb. Vestments Priests wear a special white collar and often wear a black cassock. During services they wear other robes called vestments. These are like the clothes that were worn in Roman times when Jesus was alive. There are different colours for different times in the church s year. Revd. Sarah Eynstone & the Dean When a Priest is leading worship, he or she is representing Jesus. This is why he or she wears these special clothes.

8 The Quire, Sanctuary and Dome Altar This is a very special place at the east end of the Cathedral. Along each side are carved wooden benches to sit on. These are called stalls. This is where St Paul s Choir sit every day at 5.00 p.m. for the service of Evensong. During this service prayers, readings from the Bible (including special poetic songs called Psalms), are sung in the same way that monks sang them hundreds of years a go in their monasteries. This is a special time when the priests who work here come together with members of the public to worship God. Look at the large decorated cover over the High Altar. It is called a Baldacchino. Wren designed this but it was not put in until after World War2 in The original Altar got bombed in the Blitz! Do you think this marks out the Sanctuary as a special, holy place? The Sanctuary is also at the east end of the Cathedral. It is the sacred, holy area around the High Altar. The Altar is the special table where bread and wine are consecrated by a Priest at the service of Holy Communion. This is the service where Jesus is remembered. He asked his friends the Disciples to do this at the Last Supper. This is my body and this is my blood he said. Remember me whenever you eat and drink. This service takes place twice a day at St Paul s. Usually the Altar under the Dome is used. There is a raised Sanctuary area around this too.

9 Who works at St Paul s? There is a large team of people at St Paul s who are needed to keep the Cathedral running safely and smoothly every day of the year. There are offices in the Chapter House building opposite the Cathedral where lots of people work. We need secretaries, a marketing department, a finance department, a human resources department people to write services and to organise big events and celebrations. A team of cleaning staff clean the Cathedral every day to keep it looking special. Stewards work in the Cathedral to care for and help visirors. Virgers get everything ready for services and help the Clergy to lead worship. There is a shop, restaurant and café in the Crypt where visitors can relax and buy souvenirs. The Cathedral Chapter is a group of Priests and others who are led by the Dean (a Priest and Bishop). They are responsible for every thing that happens here, especially the worship. Stone masons, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and joiners work in the Works Department. They work 24 hours a day to keep the building safe and in good repair. They make sure all the special stonework, floors, objects and memorials are kept in tip top condition. St Paul s is a very busy place that welcomes thousands of visitors and worshippers every day of every year! But remember, the most important person is you! This is YOUR Cathedral.

10 A Typical Day at St Paul s! 7.30 a.m. Mattins This is the service of Morning Prayer. It is held every day for the Priests (Clergy) who work here and others who wish to join them a.m. Holy Communion The priests who work here and members of the public come together to remember Jesus with bread and wine a.m. onwards Planning meetings, school visits, welcoming of visitors from all over the world to the cathedral. Food is prepared and served, cleaning, choir practice, special services and prayers are said every hour in the Cathedral p.m. Lunchtime Holy Communion service under the dome. Afternoon Schools visits, meetings, planning of services, cleaning...the work goes on and on every day! 5.00 p.m. Evensong The service of Evening Prayer led by the Choir and attended by Cathedral Chapter Priests, guests and members of the public. Evenings There are often concerts, debates, drama productions, celebrations and meals in the Crypt and many other events for all sorts of different groups from the city of London and beyond.