St Albans Diocese
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Welcome

Updated July 2010

This site provides details and booking information for the pilgrimages run by St Albans diocese.

Since 2000, we have arranged many overseas pilgrimages to locations such as the Holy land, The Seven Churches of Asia, Cappadocia, Jordan & Sinai, Santiago de Compostela and Greece. As well as the large events, which we operate in liaison with our chosen travel agent McCabe Pilgrimages, our developing links with Churches and dioceses around the world, for example in Germany, Italy, Sweden and in the Caribbean, are providing opportunities for small group exchanges and shared experiences.

Christian pilgrimage offers an opportunity not only to visit the locations of importance to our faith, but also to travel in the company of other people of faith, to reflect, pray and explore one's own spirituality, and also to 'bring home' new understandings and insights.

Image right: The Archdeacon of Hertford, the Venerable Trevor Jones, celebrates the Eucharist for the
pilgrimage group on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, 2008.

Current News:

This year, 2010, we are running two tours to Oberammergau to see the Passion Play.

The first of these, from 5 - 12 June, has now taken place, and a photo-album is available here. These are a selection of Andy Crooks' photos. if you travelled on this tour and can contribute one or two of your best photos, especially of tour participants, please email them to chaplain@stalbans.anglican.org

The second tour, from 23 - 30th August, is now fully booked. If you are booked on this and have any queries please email administrator Tony Boon, aboon@stalbans.anglican.org

Future plans:

Planning is now taking place on a number of pilgrimages for 2011 and 2012, listed below. You are welcome to email us to express an interest. Brochures for the 2011 Syria Pilgrimage will be circulated in September 2010, when fuller details and booking forms will also be available on this site. If you travelled with us in 2008 or later we will mail you directly about the new programme of pilgrimages.

2011

27th September - 5th October: Syria.

Led by The Rt. Revd Richard and Mrs Liz Inwood.

Richard and Liz are well-versed in travel to Syria. This tour will cover many Christian sites and offers the opportunity to discover the rich Byzantine history of this country. This is a nine day tour featuring stays in Damascus, Palmyra, Hama, Aleppo and Maaloula. This is the last Diocesan pilgrimage that Bishop Richard will lead before his retirement. This tour also marks St Albans Diocese's first journey to Syria.

Guide Price: £1495, sharing, full board. Single supplement £290.

2012

May 22nd - 31st , 10 days. The Holy Land, with Archdeacon Paul and Revd Liz Hughes.

Paul and Liz are experienced pilgrimage leaders and have travelled to the Holy Land on a number of previous occasions.

This pilgrimage will cover the major sacred sites and will include an optional (£45 extra) day tour to the Dead Sea. The pilgrimage will be based in Jerusalem and beside the Sea of Galilee, with a day in northern Galillee, visiting the Hula Valley, Banias (Caesarea Philippi), Nimrod Castle and the Golan Heights.

Guide Price: £1490, sharing, full board. Single Supplement £265.

21 - 30 August. The Holy Land with Archdeacon Trevor and Mrs Sue Jones.

This pilgrimage is specifically timed for the school holidays to allow teachers and other working in the field of education to travel, as well as families. Trevor and Sue have led a number of pilgrimages to the Holy Land in recent years. This ten day tour will be based in Jerusalem and Galilee, with an optional (£45 extra) day trip to Masada and the Dead Sea.

Guide Price: £1475, sharing, full board. Single Supplement £265.

We operate our diocesan pilgrimages firmly on the following principles:

To to arrange and lead pilgrimages which offer new and life-expanding experiences in a safe, secure and caring setting.
To strike a balance between visiting the ancient sites of our faith and engaging with local Christians and peoples of other faiths in order to listen and learn.
To endeavour to contribute to sustainable pilgrimage which brings benefits to local producers and residents as well as to our pilgrims.
To offer a programme of appropriate worship and spiritual guidance whilst on pilgrimage, and to provide guidance on ways in which to 'bring home' the experience.

Overlooking Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.
Diocesan pilgrimage 2007.