Thousands of people packed out the streets of St Albans to celebrate Britain’s first saint with a pilgrimage through the city.
Giant puppets were used to tell the dramatic story of Alban in the procession on Saturday. Hundreds of local children dressed as Roman soldiers, lions, roses, stained glass windows to form the procession, and thousands gathered to watch them pass by.
The pilgrimage was joined this year by guest preacher the Reverend Rachel Treweek, who in 2015 became the first female diocesan bishop in the Church of England and the first female bishop in the House of Lords.
Revd Treweek preached at the Festival Eucharist service, which took place after the procession. At evensong, preaching was led by the Reverend Professor Martyn Percy, Dean of Oxford.
Professor Percy said: “I was very touched to be invited to take part in the festival on Saturday, and it was an honour and a privilege to be invited to preach.”
Services at the Cathedral were full to capacity. Canon Kevin Walton said: “At a time when so much of our news is bringing fear and concern, the Alban Pilgrimage was a wonderful celebration, bringing together the local community and visitors from all over the country and overseas.”
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