Schools & Families Department HAPPY EASTER! WELCOME TO ST PAUL S CATHEDRAL Look carefully.the answers to these trail questions are all around you! 1. START AT THE ENORMOUS WEST DOORS NEAR WHERE YOU CAME IN. Can you see a large painting of Jesus? It is called an ICON. How can you tell it is Jesus? This Icon reminds Christians that Jesus rose from the dead on the first Easter Sunday. He is surrounded by gold which represents resurrection light. Christians light candles here because they believe
that Jesus the light of the world will hear them when they pray to him. Please light a candle if you would like to think about someone or say a short prayer. Can you see the Mary the Mother of Jesus Icon too? Many Christians believe she is in Heaven with Jesus. They ask her to pray for them to Jesus. 2. Behind you is the Font. What do you think it is made from? The Font is a large bowl. Water is put in here and people are BAPTISED with it. This marks the start of the person s new journey as a follower of Jesus which will last for the rest of their lives. This is why it is near the main doors. It symbolises coming into the Christian family. Many people are baptised at Easter when the Church celebrates the new hope and life given to the world through the resurrection of Jesus Can you see a large candle near the font? This is the PASCHAL CANDLE. It is lit very early on Easter Sunday morning to remind everyone that Jesus rose from the dead. It is called the light of Christ.
3. Now walk down into the central area of this huge Cathedral. This area is called the NAVE. Can you see a large table on a platform ahead of you with a special cloth on it? This is an ALTAR. Which types of food and drink are placed on this special table? When Christians share bread and wine together they remember Jesus. The Gospel story in the New Testament part of the Bible tells us that the night before Jesus was arrested, he shared bread and wine with his friends the Disciples during their Passover meal. He asked them to remember him from then on, whenever they shared bread and wine together. Christians all over the world still do this. We do it in this Cathedral every day! It is called the Eucharist or Holy Communion.
4. Sit down on the floor under the DOME..look up above you. What can you see? Can you see some MOSAIC pictures up in the quarter domes in between the arches above your head? They are made from thousands of tiny pieces of coloured glass. Can you see Jesus in these mosaic pictures? YES NO (circle an answer) Can you spot the following parts of the Easter story in the mosaic pictures? Jesus is nailed to the cross YES Jesus is placed in the tomb YES Jesus, risen from the dead YES NO (circle answers) NO NO Jesus ascends into heaven YES NO 5. Facing the Altar, now turn to your right and head to the side aisle on the right hand side. Head for the giant golden metal gates and walk through.
You are now near another Altar. We call this the HIGH ALTAR. What can you see on the Altar? Look at the enormous, carved, wooden cover over the Altar! This is called a BALDACCHINO. It is made to look very special to remind Christians that Jesus is the precious Son of God. Can you see a golden statue of the Risen Jesus on top of it? Can you see a mosaic picture of Jesus on the domed roof behind the Altar? This is another reminder that Jesus rose from the dead at Easter and then ascended into heaven. What is he wearing on his head to remind Christians that he is King of earth and heaven? 6. Behind you is the QUIRE. This is where the Choir sing every day.
The Quire is a special area where the Bible is read, prayers are said and praises are sung to God every day at 5.00 p.m. This service is called Evensong. 7. Can you spot the large, wooden Bishop s chair in the Quire? (It is to the left, near to the rope). It is called the CATHEDRA. It is this seat that makes this enormous Church a Cathedral. The Bishop of London sits in this chair during services. 8. Now walk through to the opposite side aisle. Walk back to the dome area and turn right. Find the LIGHT OF THE WORLD PAINTING. A famous artist called William Holman Hunt painted this in Victorian times. Who is the man in the painting? How can you tell? What is he carrying? What is he knocking on? This famous painting reminds Christians that Jesus is alive in heaven and that he will always come into their lives to help them and hear their prayers. They only have to open their hearts (just like a door!) to let him in. Well done! That s the end. We hope you have enjoyed our wonderful Cathedral. Please visit us again soon!