Winchester Cathedral

It was wonderful to spiritually begin our pilgrimage at Winchester Cathedral sharing in Choral Evensong.  We both lit candles to mark the beginning.  Quite amazing to think that with maybe only a handful of execptions (if any) people have gathered to pray, read and reflect every day in this place for at least 1500 years and maybe longer.  The Anglo-saxon Bishop Swithin was here in the 9th century and when he died his relics were fairly quickly associated with miracles.  The old minster quickly became a centre of pilgrimage and was well known across the middle ages.  The remains of Swithin have been partly dispersed and partly lost (following the reformation) which is a little sad considering he gave specific instructions to be buried outside and not relocated into the church.  He apparently indicated his displeasure at being moved by making it rain heavily on the day of his transfer.    He seemed a little happier today, the light rain cleared early and the sun came out in the afternoon flooding the Cathedral with light.