Shrine of St Ethelbert

To mark the Feast of St Ethelbert we have made the images of the shrine and accompanying prayers available online so that people can make a 'virtual' visit. The text below is taken from the pamphlet found near to the shrine which can be downloaded here.

The structure tells the story of Ethelbert’s life in thirteen panels, painted by Peter Murphy. It is designed by Cathedral Architect, Robert Kilgour and made by Stephen Florence. The letter E for Ethelbert that surround the top were created by blacksmith Neil Lossock from sheet steel. Below is an image of a scale model of the shrine made by former FAC Chair the late Robert Chitham and a photograph of the shrine decorated in 2018.

A small scale model of the shrine. It is set around a pillar and features brightly coloured panels with candles at the top of each panel The shrine at the entrance to the Lady Chapel, there are huge floral displays at the base of the shrine picking out key colours - blue, red and gold

The Story of St Ethelbert

Words round the shrine

Jesus said: All who want to be followers of mine must renounce self. Day after day they must take up their cross and follow me.

(Luke 9.23)

	THE BIRTH OF ETHELBERT We give thanks for our early life – for parents – for teachers – for all who cared for us and influenced us in our early years. Have we been baptized? We pray for strength to fulfil our promises.

	ETHELBERT IS CROWNED KING OF THE EAST ANGLES AT THE AGE OF FOURTEEN. Pray for all who bear the weight of authority – in church and state. We remember our own responsibilities – in our families – in our work. We pray for all leaders that they may work with justice and integrity. We pray for all young people for whom we care – our children, grandchildren and godchildren. We pray for young people who have great responsibility thrust upon them at an early age.

	ETHELBERT SETS OUT FOR MERCIA FROM BURY ST EDMUNDS, THE SUN IS DARKENED AND THERE IS AN EARTHQUAKE. In our world, many lives are terribly affected by natural disaster. Many are still rebuilding their communities after recent tsunamis and earthquakes. We pray for all relief organisations. We pray for generosity to respond to those in need. Ethelbert saw meaning in the natural world. We pray that we may have spirits open to all that is round us.

	A SINGER SINGS OF HIS ROYAL LINEAGE. ETHELBERT GIVES HIM A BRACELET. Music is so often an important part of our lives. We remember all who make music in this cathedral church. Ethelbert received an object of beauty – we give thanks for material things which are important to us – and pray for generosity in our sharing of them.

	ETHELBERT HAS A VISION ON THE JOURNEY. We give thanks for time when we’ve been able to pray – we remember times when it has been really hard to pray. We give thanks for this Cathedral as a place of prayer – a place where many leave their prayers at the Shrine of St Thomas. Might we leave a prayer here today?

	ETHELBERT IS SPOTTED BY HIS WIFE-TO-BE, AELFRYTHA. We remember those close to us – spouse, partner, family and friends. We give thanks for the care and support we rely on. We pray, too, for those we find it hard to love – for those we find difficult.

	ETHELBERT IS VICTIM OF A WHISPERING CAMPAIGN. We pray for an end to all forms of discrimination in our society – discrimination on the grounds of colour, religion, race, sexuality, gender, politics, life-style. We pray for an open-ness to humanity in all its rich variety.

	ETHELBERT IS BEHEADED. We remember all who suffer under harsh and cruel regimes – all unjustly in prison. We remember prisoners of conscience and the work of Amnesty International. We remember societies where there is still capital punishment.

	ETHELBERT’S BODY IS THROWN INTO THE RIVER. A LIGHT SHINES, A SPRING RISES. We give thanks for times when we have known light shining after a period of darkness in our lives – when we have been helped through bereavement, depression or anxiety – by the help and support of others.

	ETHELBERT’S BODY IS TAKEN BY OX-CART TO HEREFORD. THE HEAD FALLS FROM THE CART. Animals play their part in the story. We pray for the animal world – for justice and for care – for an end to exploitation. We remember the part animals play in our own lives and pray for all who care for them.

	A BLIND MAN STUMBLES ON THE HEAD AND RETRIEVES IT. HE RECEIVES SIGHT. We remember all in need and all who seek to help them. In our community of Hereford we pray for our local hospitals – we pray for the work of the Royal National College for the Blind.

	MANY PILGRIMS COME TO THE SHRINE AND FIND HEALING. We pray for the work of this Cathedral – as a place of Christian worship and pilgrimage – as a building of history and beauty – as a focus for county and city – as the seat of the Bishop – as mother Church of the diocese of Hereford.

	ETHELBERT, KING AND MARTYR – PRAY FOR US. We give thanks for the saints. We remember saints we have known in our own lives – all who have, by their kindness and example, given us glimpses of God. We pray for those we love but see no longer – that they may rest in the peace of Christ.