CHRISTIANS have been offered a unique chance to visit the Holy Land — with the Bishop of Oxford as their tour leader.

The Rt Rev John Pritchard is preparing to lead a tour to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, visiting Biblical sites across the area.

It is the first time the Diocese of Oxford has organised a tour to the Holy Land in decades.

Bishop John, who has visited Israel six times, said: “I have always found it a life-transforming experience, both for the people I have taken and for myself.

“We have local guides, so I don’t have to do the local guiding. My task is to interpret what we actually see and experience for the benefit of the people from England.”

The pilgrimage takes place over nine days in October next year.

Up to 120 people can take part, but Bishop John said that, because the tour was not cheap, he would be very pleased if he managed to fill two coaches, a total of about 80 people.

Several people have already signed up, some 14 months before the trip is due to take place.

Bishop John said: “I am keen we stand alongside local Christians, who are struggling to make peace in a very difficult situation.

“The role of the Christian is being pincered and young people are having to leave in order to find jobs. We want to stand in solidarity with them.”

During the trip, the group will visit such sites as Jerusalem, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, and the Mount of Olives.

The pilgrimage will also include an overnight stay in Bethlehem, which is behind the controversial West Bank wall.

The bishop said: “The economy in Bethlehem has been ruined over the last 10 years, so we want to put our money into the local Christian economy.”

He first visited the country when he was in his late thirties and a vicar in Taunton.

He said: “Every time I have visited, there has been some kind of threat, whether small or great, and every time, I have felt completely safe.

“Even if I didn’t feel safe, I would still want to go because the Christian journey is not risk-free.”

The trip, including flights, accommodation, transport and all meals, costs £1,645.

For more information, see the Oxford diocese website.