During his visit, ArchbishopArchbishop Bishop who also presides over a group of dioceses or provinces. Stephen will join a schools’ pilgrimage walk, attend a PilgrimPilgrim 1. In the New Testament and Christian thought, someone engaged in the Christian journey through life towards heaven. 2. Someone who journeys to holy places (such as biblical sites or shrines of the saints) to seek God's help, to give thanks, or as an act of penance Place gathering for local churches, and lead an evening celebration, Everyday Pilgrimage: an evening of celebration with the Archbishop of YorkYork 1. A Roman city and early centre of Christianity. 2. Diocese and province under the leadership of the Archbishop of York., at Chester CathedralCathedral (Latin cathedra' throne') Church which contains the throne of the bishop and hence the mother church of the diocese.
Archbishop Stephen will meet church leaders and congregation members at St Andrew’s Church, Tarvin, where churches from across the dioceseDiocese A geographical area composed of a number of parishes, under the administrative and spiritual jurisdiction of a Bishop. – many now part of the growing Pilgrim Places network – will gather to reflect on what it means to be a pilgrim in everyday ChristianChristian Name originally given to disciples of Jesus by outsiders and gradually adopted by the Early Church to designate all members of the church. life, and how sacred spaces can nurture faithFaith 1. Belief and trust in someone or something. 2. Acceptance of particular religious teachings. and spiritual growth.
A highlight of the day will be a schools’ pilgrimage walk beginning at St Peter’s Church at the CrossCross Instrument of torture and execution used in the Roman Empire. The means by which Christ was put to death and therefore the primary symbol of the Christian faith, representing the means by which he is believed to have won forgiveness for humankind. The Cross may be represented as Tau-shaped (like a capital T); with a shorter cross-bar or with a circle enclosing the upper intersection (Celtic). In medieval art a cross made of living branches signifies the Tree of Life. St Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine, is said to have discovered the True Cross (i.e. the Cross in Jerusalem on which Christ died) in 326. and concluding at Chester Cathedral. Along the way, children will engage with the story of pilgrimage before gathering to sing The Pilgrim Way, a free resource created for Faith in the North by Nick and Becky Drake of WorshipWorship 1. Doing homage and giving honour and respect to God. The Bible includes a wide range of physical expression in worship, including bowing down, lifting hands, dancing, processions and singing. The main day on which Christians gather for communal worship is Sunday (the day when Christ is believed to have risen from the dead). 2. Christian liturgy including sung material and prayers of thanksgiving and praise. for Everyone.
Canon Chris Penn, Director of Education for the Diocese of Chester, said:
“Pilgrimage is not just about travelling to distant places – it is about discovering God in the journey of our daily lives. Hearing schoolchildren sing The Pilgrim Way as they walk and gather in these sacred spaces is a powerful reminder that faith is alive, shared, and growing among the next generation. These moments help young people see themselves as part of a much bigger story of faith.”
The BishopBishop Bishops exercised pastoral care over a diocese and authority to confirm and ordain of Chester, Mark Tanner, will also join the Archbishop at Chester Cathedral for the evening celebration at 7pm, celebrating the saints who have shaped us, and the transformation that pilgrimage can bring. All are welcome and no booking is required.
Speaking about the Cathedral and its historic cloisters – once a vital part of the monastic patterns of prayer – Bishop Mark said:
“Chester Cathedral has been a house of prayer for almost 1000 years. It still is today for me and for the hundreds of thousands of people who come in and pause in this holyHoly Set apart, sacred, especially implying coming from or consecrated to God. space each year. This place of majestic stillness becomes a place of encounter – where we can rediscover who JesusJesus (Greek form of Hebrew 'Joshua' meaning 'Yahweh [God] is salvation') Also given the title Christ, meaning 'anointed one' or Messiah. His life is recorded mainly in the Four Gospels although he is also mentioned by the Jewish historian Josephus (c. 37-c.100) and the Roman historian Tacitus (c.110). is and what it means to follow him in our daily lives. Walking, praying, and reflecting here as pilgrims is both a privilege and an invitation.”