Logo
Logo

Celebrating the 1300th anniversary of the patron saint and founder of Oxford in 2027.

Christ Church Cathedral and the city of Oxford both find their beginnings in the story of Frideswide (which means 'peace with strength'), an Anglo-Saxon woman who led a religious community on this site in the early 8th century and died in 727. 1300 years later, we celebrate and study her legacy.

A full Cathedral nave during Easter sunday morning worship
Celebrating God and Frideswide in 2027

Special Services

Our anniversary year is structured around three special acts of public worship in the Cathedral:

  • A Solemn Evensong marking the beginning of our celebrations and commemorating the translation of St Frideswide's relics on February 12, with a sermon from The Very Revd Michael Tavinor, former Dean of Hereford Cathedral
  • Festal Evensong giving thanks for 1300 years of St Frideswide's example on 19 June, with a sermon from the Archbishop of York, The Most Revd Stephen Cottrell.
  • Our annual Patronal Eucharist on the 1300th St Frideswide's Day, 19 October, which brings our programme to a close.
All upcoming Cathedral services
St Frideswide's Shrine in Christ Church Cathedral
Walking in ancient footsteps

Pilgrimage

Frideswide's shrine has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. In 2024 this tradition was renewed with the foundation of St Frideswide's Way, a new extension of the Camino de Santiago in England, in partnership with the Confraternity of St James. 2027 also marks a 'Holy Year' for the Camino, and in recognition of the joint anniversaries we have re-launched an expanded route. In Holy Week, we will launch our campaign to ask your help to reach 1300 pilgrims on the route to mark 1300 years.

More on Pilgrimage at Christ Church
The 14th century stained glass window of St Frideswide in the Cathedral
Study opportunities

Learning

We are delighted to be hosting a one-day academic conference on 19 June, Frideswide at 1300: "Restoring the Story". The first panel will examine the historical St Frideswide and her medieval reception, before the second panel considers the missional impact of Frideswide in the present day. We will also be sharing materials for Lent study, giving you and your church group a chance to consider different discipleship practices we can learn from St Frideswide in five weekly sessions.

Join our Cathedral and Pilgrimage Community

Community

St Frideswide's story began by gathering people together to form a community. We want 2027 to be about inviting you to join our community too - as a worshipper, pilgrim, volunteer, or any other way that you wish. The best way to stay up to date with our latest announcements and events, including our Frideswide at 1300 plans, is through our weekly email newsletter The Spire. Sign up using the link below:

Subscribe to The Spire