The Archbishop of York has released data taken from his iPhone detailing the distances covered during his 6-month long Pilgrimage of Prayer, Witness and Blessing which concluded yesterday in York Minster. According to the data, the Archbishop’s 1,627,226 steps amounted to a walk of 1,578 miles (2,359.5km).

“The longest walk on the Pilgrimage was a 16-mile trek (25.7km) along the route from Wilton to Redcar, and out onto The Gare – the most northerly point of the Diocese of York,” said Archbishop Sentamu. “In total I have walked 1,578 miles (2,539.5 km) wearing my reliable Chris Brasher boots and with my walking poles. I have taken 1,627, 226 steps. I have climbed 1,204 floors. I have walked in all weathers, rain, wind, hail, sleet, snow and glorious sunshine.”

In addition to the distance covered, the Archbishop also revealed other facts and figures from the Pilgrimage in the Diocese of York - an area of 2,661 square miles - which began on 1 December in St Mary’s Church, Whitby and finished on 22 May 2016 in York Minster.

“I am very grateful to Welcome to Yorkshire and Sir Gary Verity, who arranged for a support vehicle, supplied by JCT600, which covered 12,814 miles (20,622 km) during the pilgrimage.

“I’ve prayed with 25,100 people using prayer beads, and saying the Lord’s Prayer as well as singing a TaizĂ© chant in over 480 churches. I also said prayers in most schools and hospitals. I have visited 148 schools, including nursery pre-schools, primary, secondary and sixth form colleges, where the standard of teaching and the level of learning taking place is excellent. I have visited 22 hospitals and hospices along the route. Throughout the Pilgrimage we have distributed many booklets exploring how one encounters Jesus Christ and be filled with the Holy Spirit; 60,000 book marks and prayer cards.

“I am energised and have been so encouraged by the people that I have met in factories, on farms and on the streets. I would like to thank all who have joined me in prayer and the many who encouraged me on the way – especially my Pilgrimage Companion, the Revd Canon Joanna Udal, who accompanied me from Advent to Easter Day and has now joined the community of The Little Sisters of Jesus. There have been so many amazing God moments, for example, 13 Baptisms, Confirmations, prayers for healing and many many blessings.”

The 6-Month Pilgrimage journeyed through 21 Deaneries: Whitby, Guisborough, Middlesbrough, Stokesley, Mowbray and Northern Ryedale in the Cleveland Archdeaconry. Bridlington, Scarborough, Harthill, North Holderness, Howden, Hull (Hull West, Hull Central & North and Hull East), Beverley and South Holderness in the East Riding Archdeaconry. South Wold, Derwent, Selby, New Ainsty, Easingwold, Southern Ryedale and York in the York Archdeaconry. The Archbishop was hosted by a widower or widow in each Deanery and stayed with his host, returning to Bishopthorpe for one night of the week only.

To watch videos of shared testimonies from the Pilgrimage of Prayer, Witness and Blessing, please visit: pilgrimage.archbishopofyork.org/introduction

Prayer for the Pilgrimage

God of Our Pilgrimage,
Thank You for Your Friendship.
Be the Fire Leading Us.
Be the Star Guiding Us.
Be the Good Shepherd Calling Us.
May the Holy Spirit,
Strengthen Us
For All that Lies Ahead.
May Your Holy Angels,
Surrounding Us:
Watch, Defend, and Protect Us
Against All Evil. Amen.