Exclusive Member Pilgrimages
Why Go on a Pilgrimage?
The Rev. Dr. Les Fairfield: Why do Christians go on pilgrimages?
Why do Christians go on pilgrimages? Several reasons. First, to enrich our imagination...
Second, pilgrimages remind us that God works in specific times and places...
Finally, pilgrimages remind us that Christian life is a journey. Often our lives seem random and without purpose. Taking time off, setting time apart to make a pilgrimage, actually moving from one place towards another – all these help us to remember that God’s time is an arrow, not an endless weary circle...
Full Article: Why do Christians go on pilgrimages? Several reasons. First, to enrich our imagination. When I first went to Israel, I spent a day sitting along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. I looked across the lake to the same brown hills that Jesus would have seen. The sun was warm, and there were two fishing boats with gray sails out on the water. All at once I could imagine Jesus standing in a fishing boat, a little way out on the lake, teaching the crowds on the shore and giving them hope. Now years later, remembering that scene helps my imagination live into the Gospel Story. Second, pilgrimages remind us that God works in specific times and places. Christianity is not an abstract philosophy. It is a story about God bursting into people’s lives in specific times and in definite places. And changing history! I remember visiting the medieval Celtic monastery at Clonmacnoise, where St. Kieran founded a school that helped the Irish save civilization. Clonmacnoise taught thousands of Celtic people how to read and write, and it put them in touch with the Gospel Story. Going on pilgrimage to Clonmacnoise (six or eight times now) reminds me that God changes history though heroes like Kieran, in specific times and places. Finally, pilgrimages remind us that Christian life is a journey. Often our lives seem random and without purpose. Taking time off, setting time apart to make a pilgrimage, actually moving from one place towards another – all these help us to remember that God’s time is an arrow, not an endless weary circle. Jesus is leading us through life to a definite goal, namely celebration forever in His presence. I have a friend who made a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Millions have made that same journey on foot, over the last thousand years. My friend wrote a book about his pilgrimage, called The Way is Made By Walking. That long trek reminds Christians that life itself has a goal and a purpose. Every step counts!
The Rev. Dr. Les Fairfield
The Rev. Dr. Les Fairfield was educated at Princeton and Harvard, and for thirty years (1976-2006) was Professor of Church History at Trinity. He is the author of John Bale: Mythmaker for English Reformation. He taught courses at Trinity ranging from Patristics to Postmodernism. Les retired from full time teaching in 2006. He continues to lead study tours and to teach part-time at Trinity.
Upcoming Pilgrimages
May 27 to June 7, 2024
You are invited to join The Rev. Paul D. Wheatley, PhD and The Rev. Clint Wilson and travel through Greece to all of the major sites that Paul visited on his missionary journeys including Athens, Corinth, Meteora (the famous hilltop monasteries), Kavala, Philippi, and Thessaloniki. Together, sail through the Greek Isles and along the coast of Turkey to visit Ephesus, Patmos (where John received his revelations), Rhodes, Crete, and Santorini.
July 19 to 28, 2024
(waitlist only)
Celtic Christians believe there are “Thin Places” in nature, where our eyes may pierce through the mists of time and see the Kingdom of God rushing towards us from the future - sacred places where the boundary between heaven and earth is thinner. You are invited to join Rev’d Jeff Miller and fellow St. Philip’s Members on this journey deep into the soul of Ireland.
October 25 to November 6, 2024
A visit to Egypt is a lifelong dream for many, and this luxurious journey includes unparalleled behind-the-scenes and privileged access to many of Egypt’s most legendary sites. Expert Egyptologists will be joined by Dr. Julian Brown and The Very Rev’d Heidi Kinner as we explore Cairo and sail the Nile in a manner once reserved for queens and pharaohs aboard the luxurious S.S. Sphinx. During our cruise we will learn about the lives of luminaries like T.E. Lawrence, Gertrude Bell, and of course Agatha Christie.
January 31 to February 12, 2025
A visit to Egypt is a lifelong dream for many, and this luxurious journey includes unparalleled behind-the-scenes and privileged access to many of Egypt’s most legendary sites. Expert Egyptologists will be joined by Dr. Julian Brown and Archbishop Robert Duncan as we explore Cairo and sail the Nile in a manner once reserved for queens and pharaohs aboard the magnificent River Tosca. During our cruise we will learn about the lives of luminaries like T.E. Lawrence, Gertrude Bell, and of course Agatha Christie.
Our Church Community
Connoisseurs Tours has been designing Pilgrimages in England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Egypt, The Holy Land, and Biblical Jordan for major Episcopal and Anglican Parishes, Seminaries, and Study Groups for more than 40 years.
We are pleased to partner with the Episcopal Parish Network and support their continued work.
Welcome to the New Era of Travel™
As we enter the New Era of Travel we know our guests are as optimistic and eager to travel as always. We also realize that being both flexible and realistic are the keys to any great journey.
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