The Rt Revd Riah Abu El-Assal, Bishop Coadjutor of Jerusalem, has challenged 20 British dioceses to send 100 pilgrims to the Diocese of Jerusalem in the millennium year.

It is hoped that the pilgrimage, entitled Pilgrim 2000, will herald new partnerships with participating dioceses and encourage visitors to Israel to join in with the life of the local church instead of simply taking in traditional tourist attractions. The slogan of the initiative is:"Come on pilgrimage and meet the living stones of the Bible."

"Pilgrim 2000 goes beyond the ordinary idea of pilgrimage and gives you the opportunity to become partners with us in the ChurchOs ministry to the people of our homeland," Bishop Riah explained. "We challenge you to bring your people to Jerusalem and stand beside us in our witness."

Each diocese would be linked with a particular aspect of the Diocese of Jerusalem's work, through preparatory meetings, a visit to the link project as part of the pilgrimage and have ongoing contact on the return home.