[Lambeth Palace — Press Release] Watch a video of the Archbishop at http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/5034/watch-archbishop-justins-prayer-pilgrimage-reaches-london-on-day-three

Visiting the capital on his prayer pilgrimage today, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, prayed with shoppers and thanked God for “the life and fire” of London’s Borough Market.

Having begun his pilgrimage in Norwich on Thursday before travelling to Coventry yesterday, Archbishop Justin spent today in London praying with worhippers at St Paul’s and Southwark Cathedrals.

Walking between the two churches, he was accompanied by a dancing choir along the South Bank, and visited one of the largest and oldest food markets in London.

After ringing the Borough Market bell, the Archbishop said a prayer for everyone present, especially praising the commerce of those working on stalls.

“Lord God we thank you for the buzz and life and fire of this place, that it’s full of people enjoying themselves and commerce and good things going on. We thank you that this is part of the world to which you sent your Son to suffer and to die that we might know him. We thank you for being with us now.

“Bless the people here today. Bless especially all who work in this market. Give them your grace, fill them with joy, enable this to be a place where the good things you give us of food and drink are celebrated and enjoyed. Amen.”

The Archbishop then quipped: “Celebrated and enjoyed in moderation, of course.”

Archbishop Justin’s pilgrimage continues in Truro on Monday before concluding in Chichester on Tuesday.

He will be enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral on Thursday 21st March.