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Remarkable place steeped in history: Bec Hélouin Abbey provided three Archbishops of Canterbury!

superb village with typical Norman houses

superb village with typical Norman houses

This former monastery church, the ruins of which still bear impressive witness to the former size and splendor of the abbey, was not dedicated to one of the many people we venerate as saints, but rather the ONE God in THREE persons - God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God's Holy Spirit - was chosen as its patron saint. Father Reinhard Körner writes about the mystery of the Holy Trinity: "Among the great prayer-givers in the history of Christianity... I found prayer texts in which each of the divine three was explicitly addressed - in the same prayer. When I tried to recite the texts, I could sense that these people had not only had God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in mind individually - they were addressing a divine community. And it seemed to me that they could only do this in their written prayers because they did it otherwise, quietly in their hearts."

This former monastery church, the ruins of which still bear impressive witness to the former size and splendor of the abbey, was not dedicated to one of the many people who died as martyrs (witnesses of faith) for their Christian beliefs, or who we venerate as blessed or saints because of their exemplary way of life. Rather, this parish has chosen God himself - in the "Holy Trinity" - as its patron saint. According to Christian teaching, we believe in ONE God who exists in THREE persons - God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit. The following description can be found on the EKD (Evangelical Church of Germany) website: "The word tries to express the seemingly impossible, namely that God is three and one at the same time. To understand this, it helps to consider how people have experienced God throughout history: as a creator who loves his world and people like a father loves his children. As a God who became human in Jesus Christ, his Son, and shared human life. And finally, as a God who is still present and alive among people in the Holy Spirit."

The building was built towards the end of the Middle Ages (perhaps in the 13th century). Known as the “Petite Halle”, it belongs to the Harcourt estate. In 1848, the building was acquired by the municipality of Harcourt in order to install the town hall and various municipal facilities. Several transformations are then made.

Bec-Hellouin Abbey was one of the most influential monasteries in medieval Europe. Founded in 1034 by a knight named Herluin, the abbey became a center of learning and culture, attracting scholars like Lanfranc and Anselm, who later became Archbishops of Canterbury. You can admire the impressive architecture of the abbey, such as the 15th century St. Nicholas Tower, the 17th century cloister and the 18th century convent buildings. You can also join Benedictine monks to pray in the church, which was once the refectory. The abbey is surrounded by a beautiful park and a vegetable garden, where you can enjoy the tranquility of nature. The abbey is open to visitors every day, except Monday, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. You can also spend the night at the hostelry, if you wish to discover monastic life in more depth.

Magnificent ruin of the priory of the Holy Trinity. Former monastery from the 11th century, part of Norman heritage.