The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is to join Christians in Jerusalem for the start of Holy Week.

The Archbishop will preach the sermon at the main Palm Sunday communion service in St George's Cathedral in the city. He will also meet fellow Church leaders and representatives of local Christian communities.

The brief pastoral visit (April 12-13) by Dr Williams - his first as Archbishop of Canterbury - is at the invitation of the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, the Rt Revd Riah Hanna Abu El-Assal.

Dr Williams said, "I am delighted to have this early opportunity to worship and to stand in fellowship with Christians of the region at this special time in the Church's calendar."

While in Jerusalem, the Archbishop is also expected to discuss plans for a more extensive visit to the Holy Land at a later date.

ENDS