Reliquary where the remains are to be stored Photo: Courtesy Diocese of Canterbury
St Mary and St Eanswythe’s Church in Folkestone will host a special service on Sunday 17 November as the remains of its patron Saint Eanswythe will be laid in their final resting place.
The relics (bones) of Saint Eanswythe will be ‘translated’ to their place of honour in the church, contained within a specially designed reliquary box. It is one of the few churches in England to hold the remains of its patron saint who was a member of the Kentish royal family from the 7th century. St Eanswythe is believed to have founded one of the earliest monastic communities in England, most likely around AD 660 on the Bayle – the historic centre of Folkestone.
The service brings to a close a chapter of a much wider ‘Finding Eanswythe’ project, initiated by Dr Lesley Hardy and Dr Andrew Richardson through Canterbury Christ Church University. The research and analysis has drawn in academics, archaeologists, historians and many others in the quest to find Eanswythe and celebrate her significance both to the Christian faith and the history of Folkestone.
Presided over by the Reverend Christopher Johnson, the newly installed Priest-in-Charge of the parish, the service will be open to everyone, with church and civic guests along with parishioners and members of the local community due to attend. The discovery of St Eanswythe has attracted such interest that it will be live-streamed worldwide, including to churches in America and Australia.
Speaking about this unique service, the Revd Christopher Johnson said:
“This is quite simply an extraordinary event and a significant moment in the history of Christianity in England.
“I really encourage people from far and wide to come and share in this moment.
“It’s a very rare occurrence for a Church of England church to house any relics of its patron saint, so to have such an extensive collection of her bones and to be able to honour Eanswythe in this place is a wonderful privilege.
“I pay tribute to all those who have worked so hard to bring the project to this moment and look forward to the next chapter of ‘Eanswythe Found’.”
Alongside the church, the Diocese of Canterbury held a competition to design the reliquary, with her remains previously being kept in a lead casket which had fallen into disrepair.
Artist Sophie Hacker was the winning designer, with her work drawing inspiration from ancient runes and the miracles associated with Eanswythe.