Rochester Cathedral — Attraction in Great Britain

The cathedral second only in time to that at Canterbury, was the See of Cardinal John Fisher martyred for refusing to accept the religious settlement of King Henry VIII in 1535.

The church is steeped in history and whilst a cathedral, feels like a parish church.

The tours are very informative.

Of interest is that as a former Benedictine Monastery we were told that the cathedral community continue to read a chapter of the Rule of St Benedict. We were also told that the cathedral does not charge as, as a former benedictine community the cathedral does not charge, as under the Rule the cathedral community welcomes guests as pilgrims, as under the Rule.

The cathedral has a regular pause for prayer throughout the day c/half of the hour.

Of the many highlights in the cathedral is the beautifully carved font, the Rochester Triptych, a simplistic carving of the Virgin Mary in the Lady Chapel. The tomb of Bishop Merton, medieval floor files under the alter near Bishop Merton's tomb, to the left and to the left of this altar is a door behind which is one of the oldest doors in the country.

The restored quire by Gilbert Scott restores the medieval pattern.

The beautiful carving on an internal door to the chapter house.

And by the entrance in the North Transept is an Icon in 2004, the orthodox icon depicts the conversion and baptism of the King of Kent.

The tombs of Sts Paulinus and Itemar.

Of interest to those interested in the Zulu War is memorial to Lt Chard VC of the Rorkes Drift defense.

One could spend a day exploring the surface of the history of...

Rochester Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an English church of Norman architecture in Rochester, Kent. The church is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rochester in the Church of England and the seat (cathedra) of the Bishop of Rochester, the second oldest bishopric in England after that of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The edifice is a Grade I listed building (number 1086423).

The west front is dominated by the central perpendicular great west window. Above the window the dripstone terminates in a small carved head at each side. The line of the nave roof is delineated by a string course above which rises the crenellated parapet. Below the window is a blind arcade interrupted by the top of the Great West Door. Some of the niches in the arcade are filled with statuary. Below the arcade the door is flanked with Norman recesses. The door itself is of Norman work with concentric patterned arches. The semicircular tympanum depicts Christ sitting in glory in the centre, with Saints Justus and Ethelbert flanking him on either side of the doorway. Supporting the saints are angels and surrounding them are the symbols of the Four Evangelists: Ss Matthew (a winged man), Mark (a lion), Luke (an ox) and John (an eagle).On the lintel below are the Twelve Apostles and on the shafts supporting it King Soloman and the Queen of Sheba.Within the Great West Door there is a glass porch which allows the doors themselves to be kept open...

Rochester Cathedral is yet another fantastic place of worship of Norman architecture we are blessed with in this great nation of ours . Founded in 604 by one St Justus who arrived on these shores apparently as a member of the second Gregorian mission . And he wasn't the only saintly person to have blessed this building with his holy presence . Paulinus , John Fisher and Nicholas Ridley to name but a few . The present Norman architectural wonder was begun by one Gundulf of Rochester the first Norman Bishop here and a hero in my eyes . It still looks magnificent today . As is the case in all these places their is so much to see and learn way to much for someone like myself . I had heard about the wheel of fortune painting on one of the walls and it was this I personally most wanted to see . It dates from the 1200s but only half of it survives today . I would love to go back a thousand years and visit any of these places in their full decorative splendour . The Reredos is awesome as too is the font both decorated with spectacular carvings . The Crypt is beautiful . The treasury is here as well as a small restaurant . The very old Bible on display here I loved being a big fan of both Wycliffe and Tyndale . Both in my opinion were very brave . I live in Norfolk where there was a place called the Lollards Pit following these men was very hazardous Lollards were burnt as heretics here . The staff here are wonderful the place amazing in my opinion well...