The July calendar features several saints associated with pilgrimage: St Thomas Becket, St Swithun and St James.

At the end of the month comes St Martha’s Day on 29 July.

Since 2021 this day is now designated as the Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus who shared a home in Bethany where Jesus was known to be welcome.

Martha provided supper for Jesus in her home at Bethany a week before his crucifixion when she is remembered for complaining that her sister Mary did not help her in the kitchen.

St Martha is a rare dedication for a church.

St Martha-on-the-Hill church in Surrey is a landmark on the Pilgrims’ Way between St Catherine’s, near Guildford, and Shere.

The hill, 570 feet above sea level with views of several counties, featured in the opening sequence of the 1944 film A Canterbury Tale.

The church, although much restored by the Victorians, dates from the 1100s and had a Thomas Becket chapel. Today he is depicted in a window.

Martha gets little recognition as 29 July is also St Olaf’s Day. He has over forty church dedications including the lost church of St Olave next to London Bridge and across the road from Southwark Cathedral.

**St Martha’s celebrated its feast day ahead last Sunday so no special events this Wednesday 29 July.