St Paul's Cathedral

For all of his undisputed genius, even Sir Christopher Wren was fortunate enough to be blessed with some architectural good fortune; the greatest would become one of the best-known spaces inside St Paul’s Cathedral: the Whispering Gallery. Explore the science and story behind the Gallery, 257 steps up inside the Dome of the Cathedral. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Content warning: This podcast contains references to miscarriage, medical procedures and execution, which some may find distressing. Sir Christopher Wren is known as one of the greatest architects of all time, but his own first love was actually science. His scientific achievements are as varied as they are numerous, ranging from meteorology, physics, astronomy and physiology. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

An academic lecture entitled 'The Revolutionary Children of God: Cultivating a Faith the Creates Communion', in which Willie Jennings' explores the question 'who are my people?' and considers theological issues of belonging for Christians. Part of the Koinonia lectures for 2022-23, co-organised by the Diocese of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, which offer an opportunity to engage with the latest research from a wide range of theological and ecclesiological thinkers.

The Bible proclaims that we are all wonderfully made in God’s image, but the continuing marginalisation of disabled siblings in our churches and society indicates that we have a long journey towards recognising the value, and giftedness, of all. Dr Naomi Lawson-Jacobs and Emily Richardson, co-authors of 'At The Gates: Disability, Justice and the Churches' are in conversation with Reverend Zoe Heming. Naomi and Emily centre their book around disabled Christians’ own stories, and call for churches to move from a care-based approach to disability, to one that is focused on justice, equality and access to churches for disabled Christians. Dr Naomi Lawson Jacobs (they/them) is an independent researcher and disability equality trainer who works in the voluntary sector and in churches. Naomi’s book At the Gates: Disability, Justice and the Churches, co-written by Emily Richardson, shares disabled people’s stories of marginalisation in churches, their cries for justice and their transformative theologies. The b

It’s certainly accurate to say our Geometric Staircase is iconic; an architectural jewel and a source of curiosity, wonder and fascination. Its official name is the Dean’s Staircase, and it has featured in a number of films over the years, such as Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, too. Discover the science behind its remarkable design in this podcast episode. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

2023 sees the first coronation of a British monarch in 71 years – His Majesty King Charles III and the Queen Consort. 2023 is also the 300th anniversary of Christopher Wren’s death, and in this podcast episode we explore his long standing and sometimes surprising royal – and coronation – connections. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Christopher Wren: The Quest for Knowledge is a special exhibition opening on the 27th April at St Paul's. It explores the life and work of Wren through archive material and personal artefacts. Discover more about this new exhibition, included with sightseeing admission, and then come and visit for yourself! Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

From the earliest years of Christianity to the present day, the practice of silent prayer is where many have sought, and found, the presence of God. But it is not always as simple as it sounds. Richard Carter was for many years a member of the Melanesian Brotherhood in the Solomon Islands where silence was a daily part of the spiritual life of the community. In London he is the founder and leader of the Nazareth Community where contemplative prayer is the basis for their contemporary rule of life. He will offer a ‘beginner’s guide’ to silence, reflecting on its nature, practice, joys and pitfalls, and how we can find it in our noisy city and busy lives. The Revd Richard Carter is Associate Vicar for Mission at St Martin-in-the-Fields in central London, and the author of The City is my Monastery: A contemporary rule of life.

Professor John Barton, one of the great Biblical scholars of our time, introduces his bestselling book The History of the Bible, the culmination of a lifetime’s work. He explores the Bible’s long evolution, how much good translations matter, and what contemporary scholarship reveals about the Bible, including how as contemporary Christians we understand its place at the heart of our faith. The Revd Professor John Barton is the Oriel & Laing Emeritus Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture at the University of Oxford, a Senior Research Fellow of Campion Hall, Oxford and an Anglican priest.

From the writers of the psalms 3,000 years ago to our own prayers in church every Sunday, faithful people have prayed to God to bring justice to the earth, and yet terrible suffering and injustice continue in every part of the world. Why doesn’t God answer our prayers? Selina Stone has wrestled with this question through many years working at the front line of injustice as a community organiser. She reflects personally and theologically about the question of prayer and its relationship to a transformed world. Dr Selina Stone is Postdoctoral Research Associate in Theological Education at Durham University where her research focuses on diversity and belonging. Her PhD is in Pentecostalism and Social Justice and she has worked previously as a lecturer in theology, leadership and social justice and as a community organiser in London.

As we prepare to open a new exhibition to mark the 300th anniversary of his death, it seems an apt time to ask, who was Sir Christopher Wren? He was an astronomer, scientist and geometrician – but later in life would become known as the greatest architect of his time. This episode explores Wren’s life, work, legacy – and impressive body of work. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

The handouts referred to in this talk can be found at https://www.stpauls.co.uk/sites/default/files/2023-02/DYNAMIC%20OF%20SPEXX%20DIAGRAM.docx and https://www.stpauls.co.uk/sites/default/files/2023-02/GS%20ST.%20PAUL%27S%20QUOTATIONS.docx St Ignatius was a rare and gifted teacher of prayer. Breathtakingly free in his approach to prayer and extraordinarily modern in his understanding of human psychology, his insights have offered a way for countless people to be in touch with God’s limitless desire to break through and surprise us, and our own built-in ability to respond. Gemma Simmonds introduces his teaching about prayer, using silence, imagination and the everyday reality of our lives to discover how to we can be in touch with our capacity to know and feel the presence of God in all things. Sr Dr Gemma Simmonds CJ has taught Ignatian Spirituality at Heythrop College, is Senior Lecturer in Pastoral Theology at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Cambridge and the author of The Way of Ignatius

When his disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, the Lord’s Prayer was his answer. Paula Gooder says that what Jesus gave the disciples was not just a single prayer but a set of guidelines for prayer itself. He was teaching them – and is teaching us – how to live a life of prayer formed by faith, hope and love, aligned with God’s desire for our own flourishing and a world full of justice. (A note on the talk from Dr Gooder: 'After the talk I realised that I had forgotten to say something I meant to say – and so am adding it here. When I was talking about the three requests, (may your name be hallowed, may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven), I meant to say that these three only appear in Matthew’s Gospel. In Luke there is simply 'may your name be hallowed' and 'may your kingdom come'. Matthew’s version is much longer here. In a way Matthew is giving us a clearer picture of what Jesus had in mind.') Dr Paula Gooder is Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral and a leadi

The presentation referred to in this lecture can be accessed at https://www.stpauls.co.uk/sites/default/files/2023-02/GD_Koinonia%20Lecture%2C%20St%20Paul%27s_0.pdf An academic seminar presenting the latest research from Grace Davie. 'Searching questions, abundant data, partial answers' with Grace Davie is part of the Koinonia lectures for 2022-23, co-organised by the Diocese of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, offering an opportunity to engage with the latest research from a wide range of theological and ecclesiological thinkers. Professor Grace Davie is Professor Emerita of Sociology at Exeter University as well as a lay canon of the Diocese in Europe.

What may come as a surprise to some is the fact that St Paul's has its very own Library, which will be reopening in spring 2023 following a four-year conservation and restoration project – the very first in its history. Discover our Library’s fascinating history and just some of the treasures it contains. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Br Guy Consolmagno says that science is an important way to get to know God. In this conversation with Paula Gooder about Br Guy’s role as director of the Vatican Observatory, they explore what meteorites tell us about God; why science and faith are more compatible than people imagine and the importance of story-telling to both science and religion. Thinking of the season of Epiphany, they also touch on the Magi and what star they might have seen at the time of Jesus’ birth. Br Guy Consolmagno is the director of the Vatican Observatory (www.vaticanobservatory.org) and president of the Vatican Observatory Foundation. His latest book is 'My Theology: Finding God in the Universe'. Dr Paula Gooder is Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral, and a leading Biblical scholar and writer.

St Paul’s at Christmas: Is there any better place to enjoy the festive season? In 1924, you may have been forgiven for answering – perhaps. Alarmingly on Christmas Eve of that year, the Cathedral was served with a Dangerous Structures Notice amid fears the Dome might collapse. Discover what happened that fateful Christmas, and the scale of the project that became known as the Great Restoration. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.

Lucy Winkett and Paula Gooder explore the pleasures, difficulties, and meanings of Christmas in good times and in bad. From Mary to the song of the Angels, to favourite carols and how hard it can be when the world seems to be celebrating without you, they explore the great and beautiful truth at the heart of it all: that God is with us. The Revd Lucy Winkett is Rector of St James’s Piccadilly, and a writer, musician and broadcaster who is a regular contributor to Radio 4’s Thought for the Day. Her latest book is 'Reading the Bible with Your Feet'. Dr Paula Gooder is Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral and a leading Biblical Scholar and writer. Her latest book is 'Lydia: A Story', following on from her best-selling 'Phoebe'. We are very grateful to Benefact Trust for their generous support of this programme.

The handout of images referred to in this talk can be downloaded at https://www.stpauls.co.uk/sites/default/files/2022-11/Hildegard%20image%20handout.pdf Hildegard was a composer, healer, preacher, theologian, mystic and visionary: a woman of her time and out of her time. Born in the 11th century, she was the founder and Abbess of a community of Benedictine nuns in the Rhineland, and her extraordinary range of writing includes revolutionary thinking about medicine, music, the Trinity, the interdependence of male and female and of all humanity with creation. She corresponded with the Pope, preached publicly against corruption in the church and public life, and in 2012 was declared a Doctor of the Church. June Boyce-Tillman will introduce her life, work, music and ideas, and why she is a theologian for our time as well as her own. The Revd Dr June Boyce-Tillman is Professor Emerita of Applied Music at the University of Winchester and an Extraordinary Professor at North West University, South Africa. She i

An academic seminar presenting the latest research from Esther Mombo and Adera Godfrey. 'Reading against the grain as a hermeneutic of the margins: Post Lambeth 22 reflections in the Context of violence’ with Professor Esther Mombo and The Reverend Godfrey Adera is part of the Koinonia lectures for 2022-23, co-organised by the Diocese of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, offering an opportunity to engage with the latest research from a wide range of theological and ecclesiological thinkers. Esther Mombo is a lecturer at St Paul's University in Limuru, Kenya, where she has served in senior administration and now teaches in the faculty of theology. She teaches courses in Church History and Theology. Her research interests are in fields of Church History women and theological education. Esther is a member of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians coordinating the East African Region Adera Owino Godfrey is a Priest in the Anglican Church of Kenya. A PhD Student at St Paul's Univers