Characters in The Chichester Nativity are drawn from local organisations, charities and medical services and paired symbolically to the roles within the Nativity, with angels acting as guardians of health and wellbeing; shepherds as providers of food and resources; the Magi as people who have learned from experience and are now leaders of their community. Each participant was photographed individually, before being edited into the composite image.
You can read below the details of everyone involved in the Nativity artwork.
Main image: Ash Mills.
The Baby Jesus, Mary & Joseph
Baby Oakley | Catherine & Sam Harding, The Bell Tower Drop-In
Oakley, photographed aged 6 weeks, is the great-nephew of the Cathedral’s Head of Estates Andy Wright. Sam and Catherine were the only couple to get married in the Cathedral in 2020, revising their large ceremony to an intimate gathering in the Lady Chapel.
Read moreAngels
Kate, Wellington Grange | Julie & Musa, NHS | Children from 'Pebbles'
Within the artwork, the angels are representative of guardians of health and wellbeing – reflective of the amazing work of health staff and carers.
Read moreMagi
Jelani, Sanctuary in Chichester | The Very Reverend Stephen Waine, Dean of Chichester | Dale, Chichester Festival Theatre
The Magi are leaders of community, using their experience to share knowledge and empower others.
Read moreShepherds
Joanne, Chichester District Foodbank | Rob, HEART | John, Stagecoach South
In The Chichester Nativity, shepherds are providers of food and resources. These individuals represent organisations that have provided vital services for our community throughout the pandemic, from food parcels, to travel for key workers.
Read moreOnlookers
The Right Reverend Dr Martin Warner, Bishop of Chichester | Kieran, Stonepillow | Allison, BBC Radio Sussex | Mary, Sanctuary in Chichester
The Chichester Nativity features a number of other onlookers.
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