BENEDICT BISCOP DAY CELEBRATIONS

Wednesday 06 Jan 10

Sunderland's Patron Saint will be celebrated in the city with an exhibition at the City Library and Arts Centre and services at St Peter’s Church, Monkwearmouth and Sunderland Minster.

From Monday 11th January to Saturday 16th January, Benedict Biscop’s life and legacy will be remembered by people across the city. Visitors to the City Library and Arts Centre on Fawcett Street in Sunderland can enjoy a free exhibition about Biscop’s life and legacy.

A service, open to all, will be held to celebrate Sunderland’s Patron Saint at Sunderland Minster on Sunday 10th January at 6pm attended by the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Dennis Richardson and also at St Peter’s Church, Monkwearmouth on Tuesday 12th January at 7pm. St Peter’s, the church that he helped to establish on the banks of the River Wear, with St Paul’s in Jarrow, makes up the monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow, which is the UK’s nomination for World Heritage Site status in 2011.

Benedict Biscop made a huge contribution to Sunderland and the Christian Church by establishing the twin Anglo-Saxon monastery which became an internationally renowned centre for learning and creativity and produced remarkable scholars including the Venerable Bede. Whilst at the service you can take a look around the historic church and pledge your support for the bid.

Benedict Biscop was adopted as the Patron Saint of Sunderland in 2005.

For further information on all activities please contact 0191 561 8407