St Paul's Cathedral

Grief and grieving are universals, and on All Souls’ Day we hold before God those we hold dear in death as in life. Requiem settings for the Eucharist, named after the Latin text which begins 'Eternal rest grant them O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them', are some of the most powerful music ever written. Using music by Victoria, Mozart, Charpentier, Verdi, Fauré and Duruflé, Andrew Carwood explores how music and religion come together to deal with fear and loss, and provide comfort and hope. For copyright reasons, the tracks played at the event have been edited out of this film. To find them to listen to here is a list of the tracks (details also appear on screen): 1. Hushabye Mountain – Aled Jones 2. Missa pro defunctis Introit: Requiem aeternam – Gregorian chant – Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz 3. Missa pro defunctis Introit: Requiem aeternam – Tomas Luis de Victoria – The Tallis Scholars / Peter Philips 4. Requiem Mass Sequence : Dies irae – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – London Symphony Orchestra & Chorus / Colin Davis 5. Messe des Morts: Sequence: Dies irae – Marc-Antoine Charpentier – Orfeo Orchestra & Purcell Choir / Gyorgy Vashegyi 6. Requiem Mass Sequence : Lachrymosa – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Bach Collegium Japan / Masaaki Suzuki 7. Requiem Mass Sequence : Dies irae – Giuseppe Verdi – Orchestra & Coro del Teatro alla Scala, Milano / Ricardo Muti 8. Messe de Requiem: Libera me – Gabriel Fauré – Benjamin Luxon, Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge, ASMF / George Guest 9. Antiphon: In paradisum – Gregorian chant – Cantori Gregoriani / Fulvio Rampi 10. Messe de Requiem: In paradisum – Maurice Duruflé – Corydon Singers & ECO / Matthew Best Andrew Carwood MBE is the Director of Music at St Paul’s Cathedral, having had an illustrious solo career as a singer before focusing attention on conducting and choral direction. He is also the founder-director of the Gramophone award-winning early music ensemble The Cardinall's Musick which continues to perform throughout the UK and Europe.

‘Remember, remember, the 5th of November: Gunpowder, treason and plot.’ The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 is synonymous with the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, but the fates of some of the conspirators are inextricably linked to St Paul’s. Find out how in this podcast episode. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Themed around ‘Money, race and climate’, this film is of an event organised by the Just Money Movement and hosted by St Paul's Cathedral during Good Money Week 2024. The Just Money Movement is an education and campaigning organisation that aims to equip Christians and churches to connect faith and finance.

A panel discussion to launch a new partnership between St Paul’s Cathedral and the educational charity Cumberland Lodge, which examines the values driving young people (18 to 25 years old) and their work practices, to further understand how this impacts on the corporate, social and creative sectors of the City of London.

Steve Chalke talks about his work in communities and education that changes young people’s lives.

Marilynne Robinson’s new book 'Reading Genesis' is a profound meditation on the first book of the Bible. In it she explores both its greatness as literature and its rich articulation of themes that resonate through the whole of scripture and human history – the problem of evil, God’s relationship to humanity, the nature of creation. In this conversation with Paula Gooder, they explore why she turned to writing about Genesis, what it tells us about the nature and the love of God and the freedom of humanity, why it matters so much as a foundational text, and what she is working on next.

On 6th December 1964, Dr Martin Luther King Jr preached to a packed St Paul’s Cathedral. On a flying visit on his way to Norway to collect his Nobel Peace Prize, he addressed a congregation of 4,000 people on The Three Dimensions of a Complete Life, providing the British public with a rare opportunity to hear him in person. Afterwards he gave a press conference in the Cathedral’s Chapter House about race relations in the UK. Marking the 60th anniversary of this historic visit, Senator Revd Raphael Warnock reflects on what Martin Luther King has to say to us today. The Revd Dr Raphael Warnock is a Democratic Senator and the Senior Pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta where Martin Luther King also served as Pastor. In 2021 he was elected to the United States Senate, the first African American to represent Georgia and the first Black Democrat to be elected to the Senate from a Southern State.

The Venerable Bede (c. 673 – 735) was the foremost scholar of the Middle Ages. A saint, historian, scientist, social reformer and translator of the Bible into English, he never left Northumbria but his impact was felt all over the Christian world. Fascinated by human nature, his writing reveals a man of vibrant curiosity with deep empathy for humanity and love of nature. Michelle Brown will explore his life and impact, and why he matters to us today. Michelle Brown is Professor Emerita of Medieval Manuscript Studies at the School of Advanced Study in the University of London, and was previously Curator of Illuminated Manuscripts at the British Library. The author of numerous books including on the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Lion Companion to Christian Art, her most recent book is 'Bede and The Theory of Everything'. She is currently advising on early society and Christianity for Archbishop Stephen's 'Faith in the North' revival in the northern province.

Autumn 2024 will see one of the most significant pieces of art in our collection back on display inside St Paul’s following a period of conservation work: William Holman Hunt’s The Light of the World. Discover the story behind this beloved and well-travelled painting in this podcast episode.

The Revd Paula Hollingsworth examines Jane Austen’s spirituality, faith and values through her novel 'Pride and Prejudice'. Paula Hollingsworth is Chaplain at St Paul’s Cathedral, and the author of 'The Spirituality of Jane Austen' https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/christian-living/christianity-and-the-arts/the-spirituality-of-jane-austen/

The Revd Paula Hollingsworth explores Jane Austen’s life and faith, looking at her major novels and the spiritual themes that run through them. Paula Hollingsworth is Chaplain at St Paul’s Cathedral, and the author of 'The Spirituality of Jane Austen' www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/c…y-of-jane-austen/

The bells of St Paul’s are a sound familiar to many who find themselves in the City of London, and the stories behind them reflect our rich history. Great Paul, Great Tom, the clock bells, the 12 change ringing bells, and the service bell – find out about them all in this podcast episode. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

We live in times that challenge hope. Climate change, pandemic, racism, war and injustice: in the face of these, where we find hope is an urgent question. Susanna Snyder says hope is not just optimism that things will turn out alright, if not in this world then in the next, but is something much more present, supple and resilient. She will explore what hope is and isn’t, its surprising relationship with anger, courage, imagination and action, and how we can cultivate and sustain it in our own lives. The Revd Dr Susanna Synder is Programme Leader for Short Courses, Director of Research, and Lecturer in Theology and Ethics at Sarum College in Salisbury.

A talk by renowned biblical scholar and womanist theologian, the Reverend Professor Wilda C. Gafney on the story of Hannah and Peninnah in the Hebrew Bible. Professor Gafney is the Right Rev. Sam B. Hulsey Professor of Hebrew Bible at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas. She is also the author of 'A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church' and translator of its biblical selections, and 'Womanist Midrash: A Reintroduction to Women of the Torah and of the Throne'. She has completed the second volume of 'Womanist Midrash' focusing on women in the Former Prophets, which is expected later in 2024.

How do we build a movement of the people of God? If we turn to the earliest days of Christianity, we can find wisdom for how we can mobilise as Christians working for social justice today. Drawing as well from the great Liberation Theologians including Gutierrez, Cone and Black feminist theologians, Anupama Ranawana examines the connections between climate, poverty, race and colonisation, and on the redemptive and restorative work of the Cross as good news for the planet as well as for all people. Dr Anupama Ranawana is a theologian and political economist with research posts at St Andrew’s University and Christian Aid. Her latest book is A Liberation for the Earth: Climate, Race and Cross.

Kate Bottley talks about her own life and faith; about hope, being human, having doubts, getting through life’s hard bits, celebrating the great bits, and finding meaning and connection in it all.

Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral for 33 years, John Collins was a remarkable priest and social reformer who was one of the world's leading proponents in the causes of justice, freedom and peace. Discover more about Collins’ life, work and activism in this podcast episode. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

When St Paul’s was constructed under the stewardship of Sir Christopher Wren, it was by a male dominated workforce – almost exclusively male – except for one woman: Jane Brewer, who cast and polished the golden pineapple found on the Cathedral’s south west tower. Find out more about Jane, and the curious pineapple architectural details to be found all over London! Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Why do some places feel full of spiritual meaning and some feel desolate? There is a rich understanding of place in the Bible, which is full of stories of the surprising places where God is encountered, often interwoven with hospitality and welcoming the stranger. Andrew Rumsey will explore what place means in our spiritual lives, in the search for meaning and identity, in the Bible, as well as in our own local neighbourhoods, parishes, city and nation. The Right Revd Dr Andrew Rumsey is the Bishop of Ramsbury and was formerly the vicar of Gipsy Hill in the Diocese of Southwark. He is also a musician and poet, who in 2023 released an album, Evensongs. His latest books are 'Parish: An Anglican Theology of Place' and 'English Grounds: A Pastoral Journal'.

Selina Stone and Paula Gooder explore the practice of tarrying - waiting on God – which is at the heart of Selina Stone’s Lent book Tarry Awhile: Wisdom from Black Spirituality for People of Faith, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent book for 2024. They talk about favourite Bible stories about tarrying including Gethsemane, Jacob and the Angel, and Hagar in the desert, as well as the importance of bodies in our spiritual lives, being honest about disappointment, and about how to keep a good Lent.

On the 7th May 1913, the Suffragettes brought the fight for women’s votes to St Paul’s, when a plot to blow up the Bishop’s throne was narrowly foiled – after a Virger found the ticking bomb at the Cathedral’s east end. This podcast episode explores this fascinating story, and how it was reported at the time. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

James Baldwin is best known as a novelist and essayist, but he grew up in the church, steeped in scripture, and was a celebrated preacher when he was young. Though he later criticized the church, it gave him his vision of the world. Jarel Robinson-Brown introduces his life and work, and explores how he can help us as Christians to broaden our horizons, to be more honest, more imaginative and challenge us to ask ourselves what kind of world we hope for. A handout referred to in this talk can be found at https://www.stpauls.co.uk/sites/default/files/2024-02/James%20Baldwin%20timeline%20handout.pdf

Anderson Jeremiah and Paula Gooder talk about Jesus in the Bible, in history, and in our lives. They explore his suffering, death and resurrection, how much stories and images of him matter, and how we can live as disciples of Jesus today.

John Donne is one of England’s greatest poets and preachers, famed for lines such as, ‘No man is an island…’ and ‘Never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.’ He is also a former Dean of St Paul’s, and certainly one who lived many lives in one lifetime. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Christmas at St Paul’s in 1940 was as normal as it could be, considering it was wartime. This, however, would all change on the night of the 29th December during a bombing raid of the city. This was the time when one of the most famous photographs of the Second World War was taken – one of St Paul’s appearing through the smoke of the surrounding fires. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

The Bible is full of angels, from the cherubim in Ezekiel’s visions, to the strangers appearing to Abraham, to the messengers that bring the good news of Jesus’s birth to Mary and the shepherds in the Christmas stories. Paula Gooder explores what angels are and what they do in the Old and New Testaments. Dr Paula Gooder is Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral and a distinguished Biblical Scholar, writer and speaker. The author of many books, in 'Heaven' she explored what the Bible says about angels.

Bishop Arun Arora and Canon Paula Gooder share their passion for Advent, explore why Advent is the season for a ‘spiritual MOT’, and also reflect on some of the inspiring stories of faith, from Stormzy to Santa, in his new Advent book 'Stick With Love'. They talk about the difficult questions to be faced about unanswered prayer, finding hope instead of despair in a deeply troubled world, and why stories are essential in the life of faith. The Rt Revd Arun Arora is the Bishop of Kirkstall in the Diocese of Leeds, having previously served as Vicar of St Nics, Durham, and before that as Director of Communications of the Archbishops' Council of the Church of England. His new book 'Stick with Love; Rejoicing in Every Tongue, Every Tribe, Every Nation' is The Archbishop of York's Advent for Book 2023. Dr Paula Gooder is Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral, a distinguished New Testament scholar and the author of numerous popular and academic books including her Advent books 'The Meaning is in the Waiting' and 'Journey to the Manger'.

Bob Gilbert talks about the wonders of inner-city nature, the pleasure and inspiration to be drawn from observing and connecting with the everyday, and explores whether it's possible to feel as close to God in the ordinary streets of a city as in the natural world. Bob Gilbert is an urban naturalist, broadcaster, author and a long-standing campaigner for inner-city conservation. His book 'Ghost Trees: Nature and People in a London Parish' was longlisted for the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing. His latest book is 'The Missing Musk: A Casebook of Mysteries from the Natural World'.

‘One sometimes finds what one is not looking for…’ Undoubtedly one of the greatest in a pantheon of great Scots is Sir Alexander Fleming, whose discovery of penicillin in 1928 revolutionised medicine, and has saved millions of lives. Today, a memorial plaque in the Crypt of St Paul’s marks the place where his ashes were laid to rest. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Artificial intelligence is in the news. Eve Poole and Paula Gooder talk about what AI really is and whether we should be frightened by it, hopeful, excited or all three. They explore the role that philosophers and theologians need to have in developing AI, and why it draws us into the big questions about existence: What does it means to be human? What is a soul? What really matters about human life? Dr Eve Poole is an expert in leadership, and was Third Church Estates Commissioner from 2018-2021. Awarded an OBE in 2023 for services to education and gender equality, her latest book is 'Robots Souls: Programming in Humanity'. Dr Paula Gooder is Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral, a distinguished New Testament scholar and the author of numerous popular and academic books.

What does it mean when – from our internal assumptions to our shared cultural understandings – God is presented as white? Chine McDonald reflects on what happens when we face hard and painful truths about race, identity and the imago Dei - the idea that every human, no matter what their colour, has a special quality that resembles the divine beauty of God. Chine McDonald is the Director of Theos Think Tank.

In September 1666, five days would change the history and future of London - and St Paul's Cathedral - forever: The Great Fire of London. The medieval Cathedral of Old St Paul's was at first considered safe, however it would not remain so. This episode explores what happened during this catastrophic fire - and just what came next. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

[The text of the pieces of music in this audio file can be accessed at https://www.stpauls.co.uk/sites/default/files/2023-09/Texts%20and%20Tranlations.pdf] Rowan Williams explores Mary’s life in the Gospels, from the Annunciation to the Cross and Pentecost: a story where heaven and earth come close together. He says that her story frames the life of Jesus, inviting us to ponder, as she does, the scale and scope of what happens in the transforming, revolutionary life of her son. Andrew Carwood conducts St Paul’s Consort singing 'A Hymn to the Virgin', Benjamin Britten; 'Stabat Mater Dolorosa', Giovanni Pierluigi di Palestrina; 'Alma Redemptoris Mater', Tomás Luis de Victoria.

What does it mean to bring our imaginations to reading the Bible? Professor Judy Fentress-Williams says the Bible is there to guide us, challenge us, confuse us, inspire us, and that bringing our honest questions to the text can lead us into deeper truths and a deeper relationship with God. Biblical scholars Judy Fentress-Williams and Paula Gooder talk about the beautiful, inspiring and difficult parts of the Bible, why we should read it like poetry, and what Biblical authority really means. Dr Judy Fentress-Williams is Professor of Old Testament at Virginia Theological Seminary. Her latest book is 'Holy Imagination: A Literary and Theological Introduction to the Whole Bible'. Dr Paula Gooder is Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral, a distinguished New Testament scholar and the author of numerous popular and academic books.

Julian of Norwich was a 14th century mystic, theologian and writer. Her revelatory visions of God’s love for all creation went against the prevailing and sometimes harsh doctrine of the times, and have inspired many since. Claire Gilbert explores how Julian’s spirituality can help awaken and transform our ecological consciousness, showing us how to live in such a way that we cease to do harm to creation and each other. Dr Claire Gilbert is the Director of Westminster Abbey Institute and was formerly policy advisor to the Archbishops' Council of the Church of England in environmental issues. Her latest book is 'I, Julian', a fictional autobiography of Julian of Norwich.

For all of his undisputed genius, even Sir Christopher Wren was fortunate enough to be blessed with some architectural good fortune; the greatest would become one of the best-known spaces inside St Paul’s Cathedral: the Whispering Gallery. Explore the science and story behind the Gallery, 257 steps up inside the Dome of the Cathedral. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Content warning: This podcast contains references to miscarriage, medical procedures and execution, which some may find distressing. Sir Christopher Wren is known as one of the greatest architects of all time, but his own first love was actually science. His scientific achievements are as varied as they are numerous, ranging from meteorology, physics, astronomy and physiology. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

An academic lecture entitled 'The Revolutionary Children of God: Cultivating a Faith the Creates Communion', in which Willie Jennings' explores the question 'who are my people?' and considers theological issues of belonging for Christians. Part of the Koinonia lectures for 2022-23, co-organised by the Diocese of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, which offer an opportunity to engage with the latest research from a wide range of theological and ecclesiological thinkers.

The Bible proclaims that we are all wonderfully made in God’s image, but the continuing marginalisation of disabled siblings in our churches and society indicates that we have a long journey towards recognising the value, and giftedness, of all. Dr Naomi Lawson-Jacobs and Emily Richardson, co-authors of 'At The Gates: Disability, Justice and the Churches' are in conversation with Reverend Zoe Heming. Naomi and Emily centre their book around disabled Christians’ own stories, and call for churches to move from a care-based approach to disability, to one that is focused on justice, equality and access to churches for disabled Christians. Dr Naomi Lawson Jacobs (they/them) is an independent researcher and disability equality trainer who works in the voluntary sector and in churches. Naomi’s book At the Gates: Disability, Justice and the Churches, co-written by Emily Richardson, shares disabled people’s stories of marginalisation in churches, their cries for justice and their transformative theologies. The book is based on Naomi’s PhD research (SOAS, University of London). Naomi has been involved with the planning of the annual Inclusive Church disability conference for many years, and they write and speak widely on disability and justice in church and society. Emily Richardson is a writer and speaker whose interests include theology, inclusion and communication - particularly social and digital media. She studied theology at St Andrews and now works for a large church as communications coordinator. She has just co-written At the Gates: Disability, Justice and the Churches with Naomi Lawson Jacobs .

It’s certainly accurate to say our Geometric Staircase is iconic; an architectural jewel and a source of curiosity, wonder and fascination. Its official name is the Dean’s Staircase, and it has featured in a number of films over the years, such as Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, too. Discover the science behind its remarkable design in this podcast episode. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

2023 sees the first coronation of a British monarch in 71 years – His Majesty King Charles III and the Queen Consort. 2023 is also the 300th anniversary of Christopher Wren’s death, and in this podcast episode we explore his long standing and sometimes surprising royal – and coronation – connections. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Christopher Wren: The Quest for Knowledge is a special exhibition opening on the 27th April at St Paul's. It explores the life and work of Wren through archive material and personal artefacts. Discover more about this new exhibition, included with sightseeing admission, and then come and visit for yourself! Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

From the earliest years of Christianity to the present day, the practice of silent prayer is where many have sought, and found, the presence of God. But it is not always as simple as it sounds. Richard Carter was for many years a member of the Melanesian Brotherhood in the Solomon Islands where silence was a daily part of the spiritual life of the community. In London he is the founder and leader of the Nazareth Community where contemplative prayer is the basis for their contemporary rule of life. He will offer a ‘beginner’s guide’ to silence, reflecting on its nature, practice, joys and pitfalls, and how we can find it in our noisy city and busy lives. The Revd Richard Carter is Associate Vicar for Mission at St Martin-in-the-Fields in central London, and the author of The City is my Monastery: A contemporary rule of life.

Professor John Barton, one of the great Biblical scholars of our time, introduces his bestselling book The History of the Bible, the culmination of a lifetime’s work. He explores the Bible’s long evolution, how much good translations matter, and what contemporary scholarship reveals about the Bible, including how as contemporary Christians we understand its place at the heart of our faith. The Revd Professor John Barton is the Oriel & Laing Emeritus Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture at the University of Oxford, a Senior Research Fellow of Campion Hall, Oxford and an Anglican priest.

From the writers of the psalms 3,000 years ago to our own prayers in church every Sunday, faithful people have prayed to God to bring justice to the earth, and yet terrible suffering and injustice continue in every part of the world. Why doesn’t God answer our prayers? Selina Stone has wrestled with this question through many years working at the front line of injustice as a community organiser. She reflects personally and theologically about the question of prayer and its relationship to a transformed world. Dr Selina Stone is Postdoctoral Research Associate in Theological Education at Durham University where her research focuses on diversity and belonging. Her PhD is in Pentecostalism and Social Justice and she has worked previously as a lecturer in theology, leadership and social justice and as a community organiser in London.

As we prepare to open a new exhibition to mark the 300th anniversary of his death, it seems an apt time to ask, who was Sir Christopher Wren? He was an astronomer, scientist and geometrician – but later in life would become known as the greatest architect of his time. This episode explores Wren’s life, work, legacy – and impressive body of work. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

The handouts referred to in this talk can be found at https://www.stpauls.co.uk/sites/default/files/2023-02/DYNAMIC%20OF%20SPEXX%20DIAGRAM.docx and https://www.stpauls.co.uk/sites/default/files/2023-02/GS%20ST.%20PAUL%27S%20QUOTATIONS.docx St Ignatius was a rare and gifted teacher of prayer. Breathtakingly free in his approach to prayer and extraordinarily modern in his understanding of human psychology, his insights have offered a way for countless people to be in touch with God’s limitless desire to break through and surprise us, and our own built-in ability to respond. Gemma Simmonds introduces his teaching about prayer, using silence, imagination and the everyday reality of our lives to discover how to we can be in touch with our capacity to know and feel the presence of God in all things. Sr Dr Gemma Simmonds CJ has taught Ignatian Spirituality at Heythrop College, is Senior Lecturer in Pastoral Theology at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Cambridge and the author of The Way of Ignatius: A Prayer Journey through Lent.

When his disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, the Lord’s Prayer was his answer. Paula Gooder says that what Jesus gave the disciples was not just a single prayer but a set of guidelines for prayer itself. He was teaching them – and is teaching us – how to live a life of prayer formed by faith, hope and love, aligned with God’s desire for our own flourishing and a world full of justice. (A note on the talk from Dr Gooder: 'After the talk I realised that I had forgotten to say something I meant to say – and so am adding it here. When I was talking about the three requests, (may your name be hallowed, may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven), I meant to say that these three only appear in Matthew’s Gospel. In Luke there is simply 'may your name be hallowed' and 'may your kingdom come'. Matthew’s version is much longer here. In a way Matthew is giving us a clearer picture of what Jesus had in mind.') Dr Paula Gooder is Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral and a leading Biblical scholar and the author of numerous academic and popular theology books.

The presentation referred to in this lecture can be accessed at https://www.stpauls.co.uk/sites/default/files/2023-02/GD_Koinonia%20Lecture%2C%20St%20Paul%27s_0.pdf An academic seminar presenting the latest research from Grace Davie. 'Searching questions, abundant data, partial answers' with Grace Davie is part of the Koinonia lectures for 2022-23, co-organised by the Diocese of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, offering an opportunity to engage with the latest research from a wide range of theological and ecclesiological thinkers. Professor Grace Davie is Professor Emerita of Sociology at Exeter University as well as a lay canon of the Diocese in Europe.

What may come as a surprise to some is the fact that St Paul's has its very own Library, which will be reopening in spring 2023 following a four-year conservation and restoration project – the very first in its history. Discover our Library’s fascinating history and just some of the treasures it contains. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Br Guy Consolmagno says that science is an important way to get to know God. In this conversation with Paula Gooder about Br Guy’s role as director of the Vatican Observatory, they explore what meteorites tell us about God; why science and faith are more compatible than people imagine and the importance of story-telling to both science and religion. Thinking of the season of Epiphany, they also touch on the Magi and what star they might have seen at the time of Jesus’ birth. Br Guy Consolmagno is the director of the Vatican Observatory (www.vaticanobservatory.org) and president of the Vatican Observatory Foundation. His latest book is 'My Theology: Finding God in the Universe'. Dr Paula Gooder is Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral, and a leading Biblical scholar and writer. (Image: Karen Cox Photography)

St Paul’s at Christmas: Is there any better place to enjoy the festive season? In 1924, you may have been forgiven for answering – perhaps. Alarmingly on Christmas Eve of that year, the Cathedral was served with a Dangerous Structures Notice amid fears the Dome might collapse. Discover what happened that fateful Christmas, and the scale of the project that became known as the Great Restoration. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Lucy Winkett and Paula Gooder explore the pleasures, difficulties, and meanings of Christmas in good times and in bad. From Mary to the song of the Angels, to favourite carols and how hard it can be when the world seems to be celebrating without you, they explore the great and beautiful truth at the heart of it all: that God is with us. The Revd Lucy Winkett is Rector of St James’s Piccadilly, and a writer, musician and broadcaster who is a regular contributor to Radio 4’s Thought for the Day. Her latest book is 'Reading the Bible with Your Feet'. Dr Paula Gooder is Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral and a leading Biblical Scholar and writer. Her latest book is 'Lydia: A Story', following on from her best-selling 'Phoebe'. We are very grateful to Benefact Trust for their generous support of this programme.

The handout of images referred to in this talk can be downloaded at https://www.stpauls.co.uk/sites/default/files/2022-11/Hildegard%20image%20handout.pdf Hildegard was a composer, healer, preacher, theologian, mystic and visionary: a woman of her time and out of her time. Born in the 11th century, she was the founder and Abbess of a community of Benedictine nuns in the Rhineland, and her extraordinary range of writing includes revolutionary thinking about medicine, music, the Trinity, the interdependence of male and female and of all humanity with creation. She corresponded with the Pope, preached publicly against corruption in the church and public life, and in 2012 was declared a Doctor of the Church. June Boyce-Tillman will introduce her life, work, music and ideas, and why she is a theologian for our time as well as her own. The Revd Dr June Boyce-Tillman is Professor Emerita of Applied Music at the University of Winchester and an Extraordinary Professor at North West University, South Africa. She is a composer, hymn writer and the convenor of Music Spirituality and Wellbeing International which brings together healing, the arts and theology, and author of numerous books including 'Creative Spirit: Harmonious Living with Hildegard of Bingen'.

An academic seminar presenting the latest research from Esther Mombo and Adera Godfrey. 'Reading against the grain as a hermeneutic of the margins: Post Lambeth 22 reflections in the Context of violence’ with Professor Esther Mombo and The Reverend Godfrey Adera is part of the Koinonia lectures for 2022-23, co-organised by the Diocese of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, offering an opportunity to engage with the latest research from a wide range of theological and ecclesiological thinkers. Esther Mombo is a lecturer at St Paul's University in Limuru, Kenya, where she has served in senior administration and now teaches in the faculty of theology. She teaches courses in Church History and Theology. Her research interests are in fields of Church History women and theological education. Esther is a member of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians coordinating the East African Region Adera Owino Godfrey is a Priest in the Anglican Church of Kenya. A PhD Student at St Paul's University affiliated to the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians. His research interest is in the intersection of Theology, Gender and Sexuality. His specific focus area is on incipient and latent scripts of theologies of gender and sexuality in the Anglican church of Kenya.

Anthony Reddie introduces the life and work of James H. Cone, one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century, and explores his no-holds-barred liberationist Christian theology.

In the Crypt of St Paul’s can be found a memorial to Florence Nightingale by artist Arthur George Walker. Depicted tending to a wounded soldier, the words inscribed above read, ‘Blessed are the merciful.’ Discover more about Nightingale’s life and work in nursing reform, as well as a pioneering statistician, and her legacy as the founder of modern nursing. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Paul of Tarsus is perhaps the most famous convert in Christianity. His dramatic encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus changed his life completely, turning him from a fierce persecutor of the new cult of Christianity to its passionate leader. A powerful personality and a visionary theologian, his letters are the foundational documents of the new church. Paula Gooder explores who St Paul really was and what drove him, including how formative his background in Tarsus and as a Pharisee was. Dr Paula Gooder is Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral and a leading Biblical and Pauline scholar. Her numerous books include 'Body' (about Paul’s theology of the goodness of the body), and 'Phoebe: A Story' which explores the context of Paul’s letter to the Romans, his theological masterpiece.

The psalms contain some of the most beautiful lines in Scripture, lines that inspire and comfort us when we need them most. They draw us into a life of prayer and praise and have been the prayerbook of the church, and often its hymnbook too, for 2,000 years. Jesus himself knew them and prayed them. And they are profoundly honest about what human life is really like, from the heights to the depths. They take us on a rollercoaster of emotions, from joy to anguish, praise to fury, torment to a place of deep peace. They teach us that we can bring everything - our real lives, our doubts, joys, and even our very darkest feelings - into the presence of God. In this film, Biblical scholar Paula Gooder introduces some of her favourite psalms and their themes of joy, lament, comfort and reconciliation, and reflect on how they can draw us closer to God. The film includes live music, with members of the St Paul’s Cathedral Consort performing settings of psalms from across the centuries. Dr Paula Gooder is Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral. She is the author of many academic and popular books on theology, faith and the Bible including 'Journalling the Psalms: A guide for prayer and reflection' (Hodder 2022). St Paul’s Cathedral Choir is led by Andrew Carwood MBE and is one of the leading choirs of the world. The reader is Adjoa Andoh, who plays lead roles in 'Bridgerton', 'Doctor Who' and 'Casualty', as well at the National Theatre and with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She is a Licenced Lay Minister in the Church of England.

If you direct your gaze upwards, the world can appear a very different and beautiful place. The mosaics of St Paul’s are a perfect case in point! Artist and mosaicist William Blake Richmond had been in discussions about the interior decoration of the Cathedral since 1874, but it wasn’t until 1890 that he had developed a scheme of designs for the ceilings of the Quire and Apse. Discover the inspiration and story of the mosaics that transformed the spaces they adorn with sparkling, vibrant colour. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Please find the handout that the speaker refers to at https://www.stpauls.co.uk/sites/default/files/2022-10/Augustine%20of%20Hippo%20handout.pdf Cally Hammond introduces Augustine of Hippo, his life story, his most famous book Confessions, and his ways of prayer. She also explores why she thinks his difficult reputation is wrong, why he matters today and how he can be a teacher and a companion to us in our lives of faith.

6. Connection and Information by St Paul's Cathedral

5. Scars and Healing by St Paul's Cathedral

4. Hope and Replenishment by St Paul's Cathedral

3. Growing and Changing by St Paul's Cathedral

2. Peace, Prosperity and Hospitality by St Paul's Cathedral

1. Introduction by St Paul's Cathedral

An academic seminar entitled 'Contemplation in the city: some modern approaches to prayer in the urban landscape' in which Rowan Williams talks about about Madeleine Delbrêl. Part of the Koinonia lectures for 2022-23, co-organised by the Diocese of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, which offer an opportunity to engage with the latest research from a wide range of theological and ecclesiological thinkers.

Biblical scholar Paula Gooder says that stories and storytelling make all the difference to our understanding of the New Testament. In this conversation with Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley she talks about her new book Lydia, her second narrative exploration of a woman in the early church, which opens up life as a Christian in first-century Philippi and Paul’s letter to the new church there. They explore why she chose to write about Lydia, the honour and shame culture in the first century and how much it resonates today, the centrality of forgiveness, how engaging our emotions deepens our understanding of Paul’s message, why they both think Paul has a positive view of women in leadership, and why he writes so much about joy. Dr Paula Gooder is a leading New Testament scholar specialising in Paul’s letters and theology, and Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral. Her latest book is 'Lydia: A Story', following her bestselling 'Phoebe: A Story'. Dr Helen-Ann Hartley is the Bishop of Ripon. She previously taught New Testament at Ripon College Cuddesdon, and at St John’s College in Auckland New Zealand, following her doctorate in Paul’s letters.

An invitation to pause and reflect. In November 2021 we held a daytime retreat for those who are active in serving their local communities in the name of Christ: those who are championing social action and social justice. Run as a partnership between St Paul's Adult Learning and Compassionate Communities, part of the Diocese of London, and led by Antonia Lynn, an experienced spiritual director and practitioner of the Spiritual Exercises in daily life. Go to https://www.stpauls.co.uk/resources/invitation-to-pause-and-reflect-online-retreat to access the handouts and other audio files from the retreat.

An invitation to pause and reflect. In November 2021 we held a daytime retreat for those who are active in serving their local communities in the name of Christ: those who are championing social action and social justice. Run as a partnership between St Paul's Adult Learning and Compassionate Communities, part of the Diocese of London, and led by Antonia Lynn, an experienced spiritual director and practitioner of the Spiritual Exercises in daily life. Go to https://www.stpauls.co.uk/resources/invitation-to-pause-and-reflect-online-retreat to access the handouts and other audio files from the retreat.

An invitation to pause and reflect. In November 2021 we held a daytime retreat for those who are active in serving their local communities in the name of Christ: those who are championing social action and social justice. Run as a partnership between St Paul's Adult Learning and Compassionate Communities, part of the Diocese of London, and led by Antonia Lynn, an experienced spiritual director and practitioner of the Spiritual Exercises in daily life. Go to https://www.stpauls.co.uk/resources/invitation-to-pause-and-reflect-online-retreat to access the handouts and other audio files from the retreat.

In this final episode in our Royal Jubilee series, we explore the Jubilee of King George III. A Service of Thanksgiving was held at St Paul’s, on the 49th anniversary and the first day of the 50th year of his reign on the 25th October 1809. Discover these celebrations as well as our silver screen connection to the monarch. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

On the 22nd June 1897, a Service of Thanksgiving was held at St Paul’s for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. However, because of the Queen’s frail health, it was not held inside the Cathedral, but outside at the foot of the West steps. Find out more about the service and this momentous day in this fourth Jubilee themed podcast episode. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. Image: Andrew Carrick Gow, 'Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Service, June 22 1897,' (1897-99), Guildhall Art Gallery, London.

Find out all about the Silver Jubilee of King George V in May 1935 in this podcast episode in our Stories from St Paul’s series. It was the first ever Silver Jubilee to be celebrated by a British monarch, and the celebrations began with a special Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s on the 6th May – where the two young royal princesses, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret were in attendance – along with a congregation of 4,500. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

London was at the UK epicentre of the pandemic in 2020. Amid the suffering it was a time when profound questions were asked about how we might live better: economically and politically, culturally and spiritually, individually and collectively. What does a healthy society look like now? Panellists are: Deborah Bull - Vice President, Communities & National Engagement and the Senior Advisory Fellow for Culture at King's College London; Crossbench Peer. Stephanie Flanders - Senior Executive Editor for Economics at Bloomberg News and Head of Bloomberg Economics. Victor Adebowale - Chair of Social Enterprise UK and the NHS Confederation; Crossbench Peer; Co-founder of Visionable and a Governor at the London School of Economics. Chaired by Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London. St Paul’s Cathedral runs a year-round social justice and Christian spirituality programme, in person and online. We are very grateful to Benefact Trust for their generous support of this programme and to CCLA for their support and partnership in this event. If you would like to join our mailing list to be the first to hear about upcoming events, please go to https://www.stpauls.co.uk/events-spirituality-and-social-justice

In 2022, Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service. To mark this extraordinary occasion, we will hold a historic Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen’s reign on Friday 3rd June. In this podcast episode, we explore Services of Thanksgiving from The Queen’s Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees, and the role St Paul’s has played in them all. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Physicist Tom McLeish and Biblical scholar Paula Gooder talk about the relationship between science and faith, and how much each has to learn from each other. They explore the nature of truth, the role science plays in the Kingdom of God, how the art of asking good questions is at the heart of both science and faith, and draw insights from the Creation stories in the Old Testament, the Book of Job and St Paul’s life and letters. Professor Tom McLeish FRS is Professor of Natural Philosophy in the Department of Physics at the University of York, and a Licenced Lay Minister in the Church of England. Paula Gooder is Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral, and a leading Biblical scholar and writer.

To mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, our new exhibition Jubilee: St Paul’s the Monarch and the Changing World explores the vital role the Cathedral has played in the Jubilee celebrations of British monarchs throughout history – George III, Victoria, George V and Elizabeth II. Included with sightseeing admission, the exhibition opens on the 25th May 2022. Explore with us behind the scenes in this first podcast episode in our new Jubilee series, with a new episode each month until August 2022. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Bishop Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy and Dr Paula Gooder in conversation the resurrection and all things hopeful, including the movements for social and racial justice and contemplative prayer.

The dramatic and mysterious events of Holy Week and Easter are at the heart of Christian faith. Andrew Nunn says that Holy Week is like a pebble thrown into a pond and its effects are felt in Jesus’ resurrection, the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost, and all the way into the present day and our own lives. Andrew Nunn and Paula Gooder explore what happens at the Last Supper, on the Cross, and at Easter and Pentecost, including some of what it means to them personally, and how we can keep the season in a way that means we come to know Jesus better. The Very Revd Andrew Nunn is Dean of Southwark Cathedral. His new book is 'The Hour is Come: The Passion in real time' (2021). Dr Paula Gooder is Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral. Her latest books are 'Women of Holy Week: An Easter Journey in Nine Stories' and 'Journalling the Psalms: A Guide for Reflection and Prayer' (both 2022).

This is the story of one small book, a book that would become known as the most dangerous book in England: Priest and scholar William Tyndale’s New Testament, translated from Hebrew and Greek into English in 1526. Discover how this work – one of three surviving copies in existence – in the collection of the St Paul’s Library, challenged established religious and political power and authority, and made the Bible accessible to ordinary people in England for the first time, and how Tyndale’s legacy changed the religious, political and literary landscape forever. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Where can we find hopeful, transformative stories in the dark times we live in? How can we read the ‘signs of the times’, and act for the good? Theologians Anna Rowlands and Paula Gooder explore the roots and universality of Catholic Social Teaching, its foundations in the Gospels, and what it can teach us about working for justice, freedom and the common good when the world seems dark. Dr Anna Rowlands is the St Hilda Professor of Catholic Social Thought & Practice at Durham University, and the author of 'Towards a Politics of Communion: Catholic Social Teaching for Dark Times'. She has interests in everyday ethics and the way that academic research and teaching can engage in wider forms of public benefit and the common good. Dr Paula Gooder is Canon Chancellor at St Paul’s Cathedral and a leading Biblical scholar. Her recent books include 'The Parables' and 'Women of Holy Week: An Easter Journey in Nine Stories'.

The wonder of St Paul’s is famous the world over, but what about the hidden St Paul’s? There’s much to marvel at in the vast areas of the Cathedral not normally open to the public. Some of them can be visited during our weekly Triforium tours, high above the Cathedral Floor. Here we have our Trophy Room and Christopher Wren’s Great Model, the Library and much more. Get a glimpse into these hidden areas in our latest episode. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Can stories reveal deeper truths than facts? Novelist Catherine Fox and Biblical theologian Paula Gooder talk about the importance of stories in our lives, in understanding ourselves, our relationships with other people, our faith, and even God. Exploring their own writing processes in The Lindchester Chronicles and Phoebe: A Story, they talk about the power of good stories to change us, and explore the invitation and challenge of some of their favourite Bible stories including Jonah, the Prodigal Son, and Martha and Mary. Dr Catherine Fox is the author of the popular Lindchester Chronicles series of novels which she describes as ‘a modern riff on the Barchester Chronicles’, and Senior Lecturer and Academic Director of the Manchester Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University. Dr Paula Gooder is Canon Chancellor at St Paul’s Cathedral and a leading Biblical scholar. Her recent books include The Parables and Phoebe: A Story.

Christmas is one of the defining points of the year, for believers and non-believers alike. Archbishop Stephen Cottrell and Biblical scholar Dr Paula Gooder explore the Advent themes that turn our thoughts to eternity and the real meaning of our lives, and the Christmas stories themselves: what Jesus’ birth means, how the world changes because of it, why Christmas is much more hopeful but also darker than we may think, and why it’s all about love. Stephen Cottrell is the Archbishop of York and the author of more than 20 books, including 'Walking Backwards to Christmas' and 'Let it Slow: An Advent Calendar with a Difference'. His most recent is 'Dear England', a letter to the country on why the Christian narrative still makes sense today. Paula Gooder is a renowned Biblical scholar and theologian, the Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral and the author of numerous academic and popular books including 'Journey to the Manger: Exploring the Birth of Jesus' and 'The Meaning is in the Waiting: The Spirit of Advent'.

The Artists’ Corner in the Crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral is not just a final resting place for some of the world’s greatest artists, it is also somewhere where one can be reminded and inspired by the exceptional art made by those buried and remembered there; whose work continues to transcend time, and is not just relevant for today, but always. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

St Paul’s Cathedral is a magical place all year round, but perhaps during the Christmas, just a little bit more so. It’s also a very busy time of year, with an array of services and events. In this festive edition of our podcast, discover more about our choral and Christmas traditions. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson

St Paul’s Cathedral is a magical place all year round, but perhaps during the Christmas, just a little bit more so. It’s also a very busy time of year, with an array of services and events. In this festive edition of our podcast, discover more about our choral and Christmas traditions. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

A Famine of Grace: Jarel Robinson-Brown and Paula Gooder talk about identity, grace, bodies, vulnerability, being Christian, Black and LGBTQ+, and dreams for the church.

St Paul’s Cathedral: a place of worship and a major world tourist attraction, but also a building with substantial running costs. Sightseeing ticket income is vital to the upkeep of the Cathedral, but it might surprise you to learn that sightseeing tickets are not a recent occurrence – but in fact, 1709, whilst the Cathedral was still in its final stages of construction. Find out more about the history of tourism at St Paul’s, and how it has long been a part of our story. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Paula Gooder is in conversation with Richard Coles about the parables and their enduring power to shock and surprise, and how they challenge us to live our faith in the 21st century.

Have you ever heard the strange architectural tale which connects St Paul’s Cathedral with Colborne Lodge in High Park, Toronto? Discover the story of shipwreck, salvage and the re-purposing of railings in this Stories from St Paul’s podcast episode. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Justin Welby in conversation with Paula Gooder about how real reconciliation can be achieved whether between nations, in our personal relationships or within ourselves, as well as what difference the pandemic has made, whether religion is a part of the solution or the problem, and where he finds hope.

Stories from St Paul's - Season 2 In this first episode of Season 2 of 'Stories from St Paul's', discover more about American pilot Billy Fiske, who died in the Battle of Britain and is memorialised at St Paul's. Billy Fiske was an American solider and Olympic gold medallist for the American bobsleigh team. He claimed to be Canadian so he could join the Royal Air Force, and became one of the first American pilots killed in action during World War II during the Battle of Britain. He is buried in the churchyard of St Mary and St Blaise in Boxgrove, Sussex, and remembered with a memorial in the Crypt, unveiled in 1941, which reads "An American citizen who died that England might live." His RAF flying wings are located below this plaque. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson

The state funeral of former Prime Minister and wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill took place at St Paul’s on the 30th January 1965. Churchill’s connection to the Cathedral began some years earlier, however, when he wrote of his admiration for Sir Christopher Wren’s designs in his book, History of the English Speaking Peoples – and became intrinsically linked as symbols of resilience and resistance during the Second World War. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

St Paul’s has a long association with the American people, formed largely after the Second World War, a conflict in which thousands of Americans based in the UK were to give their lives. The most striking reminder of this sacrifice can be found at the very East end of the Cathedral: The American Memorial Chapel – a space rebuilt after being destroyed in the Blitz, and dedicated in its entirety to the American dead of World War Two. Find out about this beautiful Chapel and the American Roll of Honour in this Stories from St Paul’s episode. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Power and Prophecy: Black and White Women in the Church - what does it mean to say that women are made in the image of God? Join Rosemarie Mallett, Chine McDonald, Lucy Winkett and Paula Gooder for a conversation about race and gender, power, prophetic voices, naming injustice, and where hope can be found. Rosemarie Mallett is the Archdeacon of Croydon in the Diocese of Southwark. Before ordination she was an academic, research sociologist, specialising in international development and ethno-cultural mental health. Chine McDonald is Head of Community Fundraising and Public Engagement at Christian Aid. Her latest book 'God is not a white man and other revelations' (Hodder & Stoughton 2021) will be published at the end of May. Lucy Winkett is Rector of St James’s Piccadilly, and was formerly Precentor at St Paul’s Cathedral. She writes and broadcasts regularly on religion, music and contemporary culture. The event is chaired by Paula Gooder, Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral.

St Paul’s Cathedral is a place of worship and a tourist destination, but it’s also a place to experience and enjoy art in many mediums from different time periods, created by an array of talented artists and craftspeople like Grinling Gibbons, Sir James Thornhill and Henry Moore, to name just a few. More recently, contemporary interventions from Yoko Ono, Rebecca Horn, Antony Gormley, Gerry Judah and Bill Viola have enriched the pattern of worship in the Cathedral. Discover the many facets to the art on display in St Paul’s in this latest podcast episode. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. *Please note that as of June 2021, William Holman Hunt’s ‘The Light of the World’ painting is not on display due to ongoing building works in the North Transept. It will return for display in Spring 2022.