I sometimes think that the hard fought for rights to freedom of speech and the practising of religion in this country, are too readily taken for granted in this increasingly secular society. The recent and ongoing conflicts and persecutions of many different faiths, of which Christian groups are the largest,  in practically every part of the world, only emphasise how fragile are these rights.
My Catholic Church SS Alban & Stephen is dedicated to two early Christian martyrs.    
St Stephen, who is possibly best remembered by many in the Christmas carol ‘Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephen’ (Dec 26), a deacon in the early Christian church, and the first Christian saint, was killed for upholding his belief in Jesus.
St Alban, a Roman soldier, who was converted to Christianity by the priest whose life he saved, and who then was executed in place of the priest, became in 305 the first of England’s Christian martyrs
Fast forward only a few years from now, to riot torn London 2020, where a soldier John Alban strikes up an unlikely friendship with a fugitive priest, a friendship which could cost him his life…..
This drama by RISEtheatre, performed in SS Alban & Stephen’s Church on Beaconsfield Road on Thursday June 27 a few days after the annual traditional re- enactment of the capture and execution of St Alban, should challenge our complacency. The Church will be open at 7.30pm for an 8.00 start.  All are welcome
 

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