A unique angel lantern is on display inside Derby Cathedral – part of the city’s Season of Light Lantern Sculpture Trail!
The Angels are coming this Advent
It is one of six giant lantern sculptures which are sited at key destinations around the city for visitors to find.
The lanterns have been created by Frazer Johnston, a Derby based artist, who was commissioned by Derby Season of Light to celebrate the city’s diversity.
Each lantern has been inspired by the place where it is featured, capturing and reflecting the distinctive characteristics of that space. The trail connects the city centre with the cultural hub of Derby and each location has been chosen as unique landmarks in Derby each telling their own story.
The Angel Lantern Sculpture can be found in Derby Cathedral until December 10th. This weekend the cathedral will install its Tree of Light inviting visitors to write their messages to hang on the tree. The Tree of Light will be in the Cathedral from Saturday 3rd December until Friday 6th January.
There is a suggested donation of £3 for a message.
Donations will go towards the work and care of Derby Cathedral, keeping the doors open for welcome and warmth.
For all Derby’s Advent and Christmas events – see here.
St Edmundsbury Cathedral has just launched a season of angel-themed activities for visitors this advent, including an angel trail, an Ancient Library exhibition, a photo-opportunity with some hand painted angel wings and a best dressed angel fancy dress.
The activities are all linked to the Inspiring Angels campaign, which started life in Ipswich in 2021 and has now spread throughout Suffolk. The aim is to inspire people to do good where they can; choose to donate to a food bank, cook for people, make a charity shop donation or another small act during Advent. Other churches in Bury St Edmunds and the surrounding villages are also taking part.
The Cathedral is highlighting angels in the building with their own Angel Trail there are angel cookies in the Pilgrims’ Kitchen, angels in the shop, an exhibition in the Treasury from the Ancient Library of angels in print and a special pair of angel wings have been painted by a member of the Cathedral community so visitors can take their picture with the wings.
The Dean of St Edmundsbury, the Very Revd Joe Hawes said:
“We encourage everyone to visit us during advent and while having a look at our angels, perhaps think about the angels in their own life. Or perhaps consider that you might be an angel to someone else.”
For more information on the Cathedral activities, click here. And for more information on Inspiring Angels click here.
Angels also feature in Coventry Cathedral’s Advent and Christmas programme too with the Dresden sculptor, Reinhard Pontius’ large wooden sculpture of the Archangel Michael as the Angel of Peace.
He has designed Michael without weapons as a sign of peace and reconciliation.
He has travelled through Germany for two years and Coventry sees the start of his European tour which should end in Kiev in 2025.
It is intended to be a symbol of peace and reconciliation in commemoration of the destruction of the city by the German Luftwaffe in World War 2.
The cathedral will also launch an interactive Angel Trail especially for children and young families from 19 December urging families to turn detective to find angels in unusual places.
You can find Coventry’s rich programme of worship and events for Advent And Christmas in full here including a rare UK screening of the 1973 cult East German/Czechoslovak film Three Wishes for Cinderella – an essential part of the Dresden Christmas, plus traditional Glühwein and Stollen too.
