ArchbishopArchbishop Bishop who also presides over a group of dioceses or provinces. of YorkYork 1. A Roman city and early centre of Christianity. 2. Diocese and province under the leadership of the Archbishop of York., Stephen Cottrell, will visit the Diocese of Sodor and Man from Friday 25 to SundaySunday Observed by Christians as a day of rest and worship. Traditionally regarded as the first day of the week, the day on which Christ's Resurrection is believed to have taken place. For this reason it replaced the Jewish Sabbath in Christian practice. 27 September for a weekend of pilgrimage, prayer and 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. with churches and communities in the Isle of Man.
During his visit, part of FaithFaith 1. Belief and trust in someone or something. 2. Acceptance of particular religious teachings. in the North’s focus on pilgrimage across the Province, Archbishop Stephen and the BishopBishop Bishops exercised pastoral care over a diocese and authority to confirm and ordain of Sodor and Man, the Rt Revd Patricia Hillas will walk around 25 miles, sharing conversation and prayer with people along the way.
On Friday afternoon the 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 group, which will include local people, will walk from the Sound Café in the south of the island, past Spanish Head to Cregneash, concluding their journey with Evening Prayer at St Peter’s Church in this historic village.
This being the 10th anniversary of the Triskelion Way, on Saturday morning, Archbishop Stephen and Bishop Tricia will walk a circular route, taking in stretches of the Triskelion Way, Spooyt Vane Waterfall and Glen Wyllin. In the afternoon, they will walk from Ramsey to Maughold in the north east of the island.
The day will conclude with Evening Prayer in Maughold ParishParish Area with its own church, served by a priest who has the spiritual care of all those living within it. The system evolved gradually, reaching completion by the 13th century Church which will include an opportunity to renew baptismal vows for all attending, using water from the ancient well of St Maughold.
On Sunday morning, Archbishop Stephen and Bishop Tricia, led by a giant puppet of St German himself, will set off at 10am from the ancient cathedralCathedral (Latin cathedra' throne') Church which contains the throne of the bishop and hence the mother church of the diocese located within Peel Castle and process to Cathedral Isle of Man, arriving for a service there at 10.30am. All are welcome, with the Archbishop preaching and presiding at this service.
As not everyone will be able to join the physical walk there will be a special drop-in event, ‘Pilgrimage in Place’ which will include opportunities for silence, and for prayer activities on Saturday 26th from 10 to 12 noon at St Andrew’s URC Church (St Ninian’s Crossroads). Everyone is welcome to drop in for as long or as little as they wish. Prayers and poems will include those featured throughout the weekend and there will be a special recorded message from Archbishop Stephen.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Archbishop Stephen said, “There is massive interest in pilgrimage at the moment. I think it’s because in a fast-moving world in thrall to things shiny and new, many of us are looking for something slower and tested by time. Pilgrimage can’t be hurried. It doesn’t happen on a screen. It takes the time it takes. It puts you back in touch with ancient pathways and time-honoured wisdom. It has always been a way of encountering God and discovering that the whole of life can be a pilgrimage. It is the best antidote to today’s quick fixes.”
Bishop Tricia said, “The Isle of Man has many ancient places and routes where saints and people of faith have been before us. Their faith and lives still shape us today. We can encounter the same God today that they knew hundreds of years ago. Stepping out, physically or mentally, can take us on a life-giving journey of discovery and encounter.”
2026 is the Year of the Manx Language, a year-long, Island-wide celebration of the Manx language. This will help shape some of the prayers and liturgy in the churches across the pilgrimage focused weekend.
Opportunities to join the Bishop and Archbishop include:
Friday 25 September at 4pm – Manx Evening Prayer in Cregneash Church – Archbishop Stephen will be teaching.
Saturday 26 September at 6pm – Evening Prayer at Maughold with the renewal of baptismal vows, the Archbishop will be speaking.
Sunday 27 September at 10.30am – Service at Cathedral Isle of Man in Peel, the Archbishop will be preaching and presiding.