The Book of Common Prayer

Picture of the leather bound Book of Common Prayer for the President's Pew

Thomas Cranmer had great faith. He believed that it was important for everyone to read the Bible, so that they would hear and receive the gift of new life in the risen Christ. He also believed that everyone should understand that the Gospel Sacraments, that is, Baptism and the Eucharist, are celebrated as “mysteries and tokens of his love”. For Baptism would “make us like unto Him”, and the Eucharist would “enable us to dwell in Him and He in us”.

At the back of the Book of Common Prayer you can find the “Thirty Nine Articles Of Religion”, which were agreed upon by the archbishops, bishops and all the clergy in 1562, following Thomas Cranmer’s statement of doctrine. They are still in place today, within the Anglican Communion.

The Book of Common Prayer, and the more recent Alternative Prayer Book, enable us to celebrate the “mysteries and tokens of his love”, and the Bible helps us to understand more what it means to “dwell in Him and He in us”

Thomas Cranmer was eventually burned at the stake for his beliefs in 1556, and yet both the Book of Common Prayer, and the English Bible, live on to this day. They are still used in many of our churches, including this cathedral.