On Sunday, three camels braved the snow and ice to participate in a unique church service outside Hereford Cathedral, celebrating the eve of Epiphany, a Christian feast day that marks the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus. The camels, native to the much colder Gobi Desert, were unfazed by the chilly weather.
Bishop of Hereford, the Right Reverend Richard Jackson, led two family-friendly services in the cathedral grounds, where the camels walked around the congregation. “Traditionally, the Magi visited Jesus riding on camels, so it seemed a good idea to get some camels to come and celebrate with us,” he explained.
This was Bishop Jackson’s final service before going on sabbatical, and he described it as “probably one of the more unusual” services he had led, though he found it to be “great fun.” The camels, provided by Joseph’s Amazing Camels from Idlicote, Warwickshire, were ridden by handlers Daisy and Leo Fossett, with Revd Canon Chancellor James Pacey stepping in to ride the third camel in a golden crown. Despite the cold, the event was a festive and memorable occasion for those who gathered to take part in the celebration.