DURHAM Cathedral is marking Bede’s Day with a special service to celebrate the saint’s life.

Bede’s Day, which is tomorrow (May 25), is the feast day for the Venerable Bede, who is widely regarded as the father of English history.

His historical works are well-known, and include the Ecclesiastical History of the English People, which played a fundamental role in the formation of the English national identity.

The Venerable Bede now rests in the Cathedral’s Galilee Chapel, where a special service will be held on Wednesday.

A service of Solemn Evensong will start at 5.15pm, which will include a procession to Bede’s Shrine in the Galilee Chapel, where Bede’s final hours are remembered through his own writings and an account of his passing, with music from Durham Cathedral Choir.

A special study day will be held in Prior’s Hall, Durham Cathedral, on Saturday, May 28 from 10am to 12.30pm to explore the life of Bede and his connection with the Bible.

The study day will also celebrate the 1300th anniversary of the Codex Amiatinus to the Pope – a 35kg tome which is the earliest single volume Latin bible to survive.

Speakers include Faith Wallis, McGill University, Canada, Peter Darby, University of Nottingham, and Francis Watson, Durham University.

The event is free though £10 donations are welcome. For more information contact events@durhamcathedral.co.uk or 0191 386 4266 .