On June 30, 1,000 voices will echo across the seven hills of Durham to herald the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels. Lizzie Anderson discovers how plans for the long-awaited concert are shaping up. The concert, on Palace Green, will bring together 1,000 singers of all ages and abilities.
The 400th anniversary of the English translation of the Bible, named after King James, was recently celebrated in the Cathedral of Canterbury. The following is a speech given by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to mark the occasion.
The Very Rev John Hall, the abbey's dean, told the 2,000-strong congregation: "We acknowledge with gratitude the work's lasting influence on our national language and culture and on the faith, language and culture wherever the English language has reached throughout the world. Above all, we pray that we and all people may continue to be uplifted and transformed by the great story the Bible tells."
Vladimir: “Did you ever read the Bible?” Estragon: “The Bible…. I must have taken a look at it.” This exchange by the two vagabond protagonists of Samuel Beckett’s celebrated play,Waiting for Godot (1952) expresses an attitude which is common to many: the Bible, which is so acclaimed, is at least worth a glance, but like the classics it is so little read.
The Word of God, the source of hope
Advent is a good opportunity to reread the Scriptures, the Bible. As Paul says in the second reading, it was written for our consolation and instruction, to keep alive our hope
