How Did We Get This Land? Historic Walking Tours for Rogation Week

For over a millennium, Christians have marked Rogation Week (the days before Ascension Thursday) by walking the boundaries of a parish, village, or manor. Known as ‘beating the bounds,’ this ancient custom maintained the memory of land divisions before the era of formal deeds and surveys.

This year, parishioners and members of the public are invited to mark Rogation Week by walking a portion of the historic 23-acre Church Reserve, of which the current Cathedral Precinct (a mere 3-acres!) is the sole remnant. Historian Jesse Robertson will introduce us to fur traders, missionaries, and early colonial officials, inviting us to remember how land, colonization, and dispossession have shaped our life as a worshipping community in lək̓ʷəŋən territory.

Three tours will be held, approximately 2.5 km in length, and limited to 12-18 participants each. There is no charge, but participants are encouraged to make a donation to the City of Victoria’s Reconciliation Contribution Fund: https://www.victoria.ca/city-government/reconciliation/reconciliation-contribution-fund

Dates/Times

Sunday, May 5: 1:30-3:30 pm

Tuesday, May 7: 6:30-8:30 pm

Wednesday, May 8: 3:00-5:00 pm

Location

Start: Bastion Square at Wharf Street (next to Darcy’s Pub)

End: Christ Church Cathedral

Host or Publisher Christ Church Cathedral