Cally Hammond read Literae Humaniores at Oxford and was later a Research Fellow in Classics at Downing College, before undertaking ordination training at Westcott House and graduating again in Theology and Religious Studies.
Dr Hammond teaches the Greek and Latin languages, early Christian history and the history of doctrine, as well as researching in the area of early Christian historiography.
Her translation of The Gallic War by Julius Caesar was published in the Oxford World's Classics series in 1995.
Through SPCK she has subsequently published Passionate Christianity: A journey to the cross (2007), Joyful Christianity: Finding Jesus in the world (2009) and Glorious Christianity: Walking by faith in the life to come (2012).
Dr Hammond is currently working on The Sound of the Liturgy for SPCK and on a new translation of the Confessions of St Augustine for the Loeb Classical Library.
John Mere, who died in 1558, was an Esquire Bedell and also later Registrary of the University, and a member of both King's and Corpus Christi Colleges.
He left property in the Parish of St Benet's, partly to pay for an annual Sermon in his memory and on particular subjects.
Certain University Officers, including the current Registrary and the Esquire Bedells, and also the Vicar and the Clerk of the Parish, still receive a token payment for attending.
Before the service flowers are placed on Mere's tombstone by the Church door and afterwards a small payment is also made to the inhabitants of the Almshouses of St Antony and St Eligius.
The Sermon is preached either by the Vice-Chancellor or a person nominated by the Vice-Chancellor, and by regulation must be preached on the first Tuesday of Full Easter Term.
The modern custom is for Corpus Christi College to suggest someone for appointment and the College has a strong links with St Benet's, where it maintains seats for the Master and Fellows and is the Patron with the right to appoint the Vicar.
The Master traditionally offers hospitality to the Preacher and refreshment to the Congregation after the Sermon.
All are welcome. Members of the University attending should wear their gowns.
Picture Credit: Dan White
The Reverend Dr Carolyn Hammond, Fellow and Dean of Gonville and Caius College, will preach in commemoration of John Mere at St Benet's Church at 11.45am on Tuesday 23 April.
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