Saint Olaf Poetry Pilgrimage around the City of London

Occurring
for 1 hour, 30 mins
Venue
St Olave Hart Street
Address
8 Hart Street City of London, EC3R 7NB, United Kingdom

Join us for a unique poetry pilgrimage through the heart of the City of London, following the footsteps of St Olaf - the Viking warrior who became a saint and whose story is woven into London's own history.

Beginning at St Olave Hart Street, we will journey between ancient churches, Roman walls, hidden streets and the Thames, pausing to hear newly commissioned poems, written especially for this pilgrimage and read by some of the poets who created them. Each poem will invite us to see the City anew.

Among the highlights are:

St Olave Hart Street – discover Olaf's extraordinary transformation from warrior to saint, surrounded by centuries of art, prayer and healing dedicated to his memory.
The Roman Wall and All Hallows by the Tower – stand beside remains that Olaf himself would have known, and encounter one of the few surviving Anglo-Saxon doorways from his lifetime.
London Bridge and St Magnus the Martyr – explore the dramatic story of Olaf's legendary assault on London Bridge, remembered in saga and tradition for over a thousand years.
The lost churches of St Olave – uncover the forgotten stories of St Olave's Old Jewry and St Olave Silver Street, reminders of how deeply the saint's name was once woven into London's streets.
St Paul's Cathedral – reflect on the endurance of Christian witness from the Saxon age to the present in one of the world's great churches.
Along the way, the pilgrimage will explore themes of courage, conversion, healing, kingship, peace and pilgrimage itself, connecting scripture, history and contemporary poetry.

Whether you come as a lover of poetry, history, London, or simply in search of a reflective afternoon, this is an opportunity to experience the City in a new way and to rediscover the remarkable legacy of England's Viking saint.

St Olave Hart Street

St Olave Hart Street. Founded in 1050 and dedicated to a Viking warrior who became King and then Patron Saint of Norway. The first healing miracle here associated with Olaf is recorded in the twelfth century.

A Great Fire survivor & miraculously restored after the blitz, the story of this church is entwined with London’s mercantile and maritime past. Some jest that the whole world has passed through this tiny parish. Samuel Pepys, buried beneath the altar, called it his “own church”; the poet John Betjeman described it as, “a country church in the world of Seething Lane.” City and countryside. Warrior and healer. Like our own lives, the story of this place is layered rather than clear cut. A place where apparent opposites are held in holy tension.

Our unusual east window shows both Christ in his passion - suffering on the cross – and an image of Christ in glory, the cross shining brightly behind. An artistic representation of the seemingly polar opposite at the heart of our faith. That the death of Christ on the cross has, through his resurrection, brought the promise of new life for us and for the whole world.That is the Good News we proclaim here each day. Not easy answers, but a living hope — which is offered freely by Christ to all who turn to Him.  


Safeguarding statement: The parish of St Olave Hart Street is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of London’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.

Get in touch

Administrator

8 Hart Street
London
EC3R 7NB

Administrator
020 7488 4318

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What's on

Saint Olaf Poetry Pilgrimage around the City of London

Occurring
for 1 hour, 30 mins
Venue
St Olave Hart Street
Address
8 Hart Street City of London, EC3R 7NB, United Kingdom

Join us for a unique poetry pilgrimage through the heart of the City of London, following the footsteps of St Olaf - the Viking warrior who became a saint and whose story is woven into London's own history.

Beginning at St Olave Hart Street, we will journey between ancient churches, Roman walls, hidden streets and the Thames, pausing to hear newly commissioned poems, written especially for this pilgrimage and read by some of the poets who created them. Each poem will invite us to see the City anew.

Among the highlights are:

St Olave Hart Street – discover Olaf's extraordinary transformation from warrior to saint, surrounded by centuries of art, prayer and healing dedicated to his memory.
The Roman Wall and All Hallows by the Tower – stand beside remains that Olaf himself would have known, and encounter one of the few surviving Anglo-Saxon doorways from his lifetime.
London Bridge and St Magnus the Martyr – explore the dramatic story of Olaf's legendary assault on London Bridge, remembered in saga and tradition for over a thousand years.
The lost churches of St Olave – uncover the forgotten stories of St Olave's Old Jewry and St Olave Silver Street, reminders of how deeply the saint's name was once woven into London's streets.
St Paul's Cathedral – reflect on the endurance of Christian witness from the Saxon age to the present in one of the world's great churches.
Along the way, the pilgrimage will explore themes of courage, conversion, healing, kingship, peace and pilgrimage itself, connecting scripture, history and contemporary poetry.

Whether you come as a lover of poetry, history, London, or simply in search of a reflective afternoon, this is an opportunity to experience the City in a new way and to rediscover the remarkable legacy of England's Viking saint.

Safeguarding

Our parish of St Olave Hart Street is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO). Our Diocese of London’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor who advises our PSO. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the Parish Safeguarding Officer or the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority’s children or adult social care services.

Read more.

St Olave Hart Street Charity No. 1130893