Exhibition inspired by moon landing opens in Staffordshire
A cathedral in Staffordshire has opened a new exhibition taking inspiration from the 50th anniversary of the Moon Landing.
The exhibition, titled Pilgrimage and Prayer, opened on Monday January 14 at Lichfield Cathedral and is calling on people of all faiths, or none, to recognise the role of pilgrimage in their lives.
It explores how modern ideas build on the historical tradition of Christian pilgrimage, including a pilgrimage to Lichfield Cathedral from the time of St Chad, in the 7th century, to the present day.
It is inspired by the Moon Landing, which celebrates its half century in July this year, as a pilgrimage of its own that opened up new perspectives on space.
Among the exhibit is a fascinating 14th century document listing relics owned by the Cathedral, stonework linked with the medieval shrine of St Chad, a 1420 edition of Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales', and a 17th century casket which contained the relics of St Chad after the Reformation.
The exhibition runs until Thursday February 28 from 10am until 4pm.
It is free but donations to the Cathedral are encouraged.
To tie in with the theme there will also be a series of lectures taking place.
On January 23 Dr Louise Hampson, from the centre of Christianity and Culture at the University of York, will speak about their work on the renewed popularity of pilgrimage.
Tickets are available for £5 with the lecture beginning at 7.15pm.
On February 20, the Dean of Lichfield, the Very Rev. Adrian Dorber, will draw on his own pilgrimage experiences in a lecture starting at 7.15pm, with tickets also at £5.
