Diocese celebrates Etheldreda

The Diocese of Ely will be celebrating the life of Queen Etheldreda, their foundress, with the Etheldreda Pageant and Procession on Saturday 25th June (11.30am) in Jubilee Gardens.

The Bishop of Ely, Stephen Conway, and the Mayor of Ely, Roger Skraba, will lead the celebrations. They will include the re-enactment of Etheldreda’s life through drama and song, which will see her arrive by boat to marry Tonbert, King of Fenmen !

The Etheldreda Pageant and Procession will commence at the riverside and head towards Ely Cathedral for a midday Eucharist.

This year the Ely Imps, the Cathedral’s Children’s Choir, will be singing.

The Parade will end at the site of Etheldreda’s Shrine in the Presbytery. It will be followed by a Eucharist in the Lady Chapel, at which Bishop Conway will preside.

The Bishop said today: “If the weather holds, this will be colourful day and it tends to attract quite a number of people. This year – let’s hope for even more of a good turn out. I am looking forward to it immensely.”