By GILDA PINEDA DIONELA KINGDOM ADVENTURE An abbey refers to a monastery or convent where monks or nuns reside, while a cathedral is a church that serves as the seat of a bishop. That, in simple terms, answers my long‑held question: What is the difference between an abbey and a cathedral? Gloucester Cathedral was once the Abbey of St. Peter before eventually becoming a cathedral. Like many of England’s great ecclesiastical buildings, it was erected to exalt God in Jesus Christ and to nurture the souls of humankind. Gloucester Cathedral is one of these enduring testaments of faith. It has been a religious centre since 679 AD, making it more than 1,300 years old. While ancient nations such as Israel, Iraq, Iran, Türkiye, and Egypt have preserved remarkable historical structures, Europe offers something uniquely compelling: places of worship that continue to function as they did centuries ago. To stand in Gloucester Cathedral where Christian services are still held much as they were over a millennium ago is both humbling and awe‑inspiring. A LIVING MASTERPIECE OF ARCHITECTURE Beyond its preservation of purpose, the cathedral’s architecture is beyond words. Even visitors without technical knowledge can instantly sense the genius behind its design and construction. Over the centuries, Gloucester Cathedral underwent numerous enhancements. Abbot Serlo laid the foundation stone of the Abbey of St. Peter in 1089. The East End was dedicated in 1100, and by around 1130, the Nave was completed. Much of the original Romanesque church still endures today, including the entire Crypt, much of the East End, the great Nave pillars, and the Norman Chapter House remarkable survivals that connect modern visitors directly to the medieval world. KINGS, CRAFTSMANSHIP, AND SACRED SPACE King Edward II is buried in the North Ambulatory. Between 1331 and 1335, the...... Read more on Full Issue!