Two way traffic, tourists making their way to the Castle, coffee drinkers seeking out their caffeine kick, and shoppers strolling into the secrets of Duke Street Arcade. We’re a far cry from St Piran it seems, who hailed from the fifth or maybe sixth century – although he knew how to enjoy life – including a beer, and there are a few pubs here! So you can raise a glass to Piran!
Once, where Duke Street Arcade now stands, was the church of St Peryn which stood at least from the eleventh to the 18th century, predating the early twelfth century Priory Church of St Mary. St Piran (or Perran/Peryn) is embedded in the life of Cornwall and, like many Celtic Saints, has a past lost in time, and whose life has become intertwined and confused with others saints. Many of the stories of his life feature some connection with Ireland, like the time his preaching, unpalatable to the pagans, led to him being thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck. Miraculously he wasn’t pulled under but was washed away to the shores of Cornwall where he settled and had his greatest effect.
There appears to be no real reason to suggest he was born in Ireland, and some say the was from Wales or spent some time here and even founded the Church which eventually stood in this place before his life in Cornwall. Maybe it was the presence of Cornish slaves who settled here who were responsible for the patronage. Who knows? By the Medieval period, the church was home to a Guild of shoemakers who famously stood up against the Reformation demands of Henry VIII and unusually won the day. The church was still extant by the end of the eighteenth century, but now its secrets lie deep beneath the shopping Arcade along the old route of Shoemaker Lane. Whatever the truth, Pyran, Peran or Piran, a Patron Saint of Cornwall, certainly had a presence here in Cardiff for a thousand years – if not a little longer! Cheers!
Hwyl
Piran’s presence seems lost here,
imperceptible,
Silent.
Drowned out by the sound
of tourists and traffic,
pushed under by development
which tries to forget the past.
There is no sight or sound of him.
He is just
a distant memory.
But each generation
fans the flame of faith,
keeps it burning,
moves us along
like the waves which
carried him to Cornwall.
Piran’s past is our future,
life with God,
life in all its abundance.
Bible Reading
From John 10: 7-10
So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Prayer
Lord God,
here,
upon this ground
beneath the paved streets and tarmac road,
beyond the shop fronts,
and measured coffee spoons,
the beer froth and fashion,
prayers ascended here,
stirred by Piran
Here, bread was broken
for the world.
Help us to listen to your voice,
to see your presence in all places,
and among the peoples,
and may our lives be a prayer,
a living sacrifice
of praise and thanksgiving.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Stay Awhile
Stay awhile, be still, and be at peace,
even in the midst of movement,
and when surrounded by the pace of life.
Here,
in this place,
awash with busyness,
may God’s Grace
stir your heart to love.
Each person who passes
is made in the image of God.
Each face, a possible encounter
with the Divine.
Here,
on the street,
in the city,
be still, for now,
for a brief moment,
and be at peace.
Pray for
Pray for all who pass by,
and all who visit the city
for work or pleasure,
the sightseers and tourists,
the workers and wanderers.
Pray for those who have arrived here
seeking safety and sanctuary,
for all for whom these streets are home,
and all who work with the homeless.
Hwyl Fawr
May the saints and Martyrs watch over us,
pray for us and guide us
along the pilgrim way.
And may God give us his blessing,
now and for ever more. Amen.
St Piran, pray for us.
St Cadoc, pray for us.
All the Saints of God, pray for us.
LINKS & INFO
Website: This part of the City centre lies within the Parish of St John the Baptist You can discover more about the church here
Where next?
Plan your journey to the next part of the Llanscape of Wales using our Google Maps Trail:
South Cardiff Ministry Area 