Whenever we visit the busy market town of Beverley our trip is never complete without calling into Beverly Minster to escape the hustle and bustle for a few moments of peace and quiet reflection. Not only is the building an incredible work of art, widely recognised as one of the finest examples of Gothic churches in Europe, the energy of this beautiful place never fails to enthrall me. I have visited many churches, cathedrals, and minsters over the years but so many have left me feeling unmoved energetically. There is often a feeling of aloof coldness that comes from them, as if you are somehow intruding and don’t belong.
However, there is something so friendly, warm and welcoming about Beverly Minster. The multitude of layers of faith and belief, strength and devotion, love and compassion built up over the years has such a soothing effect on my soul; as does standing in the presence of the shrine to St John.
John of Beverley (died 7 May 721) was an English bishop active in the kingdom of Northumbria. He was the bishop of Hexham and then the bishop of York which was the most important religious designation in the area. He went on to found the town of Beverley by building the first structure there, a monastery. John was associated with miracles during and after his lifetime, and was canonised a saint by the Catholic Church in 1037.
The minster owes its origin and much of its subsequent importance to Saint John of Beverley, who founded a monastery locally around 700 AD and whose bones still lie beneath a plaque in the nave. (Wikipedia)
We last visited the minster a couple of weeks ago taking lots of photos but the final one that Phil took we later discovered had captured so many orbs we were amazed. There was nothing in any of the other photos we had taken, just this one below. I love that there are some high above looking down, one clearly moving through and below several sat beneath as if they are praying. It made our visit extra special. I wonder if one of those was St John
