Saturday, January 19, 2008

extreme pilgrim


Watched an absolutely fascinating programme last night about an English vicar, Pete Owen-Jones, who travelled to the Egyptian desert to follow in the footsteps of St Anthony – a Christian hermit and founder of monasticism (you can watch it on BBC iPlayer). His trek into the desert culminated in a three-week spell living alone in a cave in the wilderness which (despite some theological misgivings on his part) proved to be both testing+rewarding. I felt as if I’d be with him on his spiritual roller-coaster ride – so much so that I ended up with a thumping headache!
PS: this was the last in a series of 3 programmes; I also watched the second - when he travelled to India to join the Mela, the huge Hindu pilgrimage to the Ganges - which I found absorbing, but somewhat bizarre at times.

1 comment:

just Gai said...

I have watched all three programmes and found them fascinating if, as you say, bizarre. He is an interesting fellow. I don't necessarily agree with, or even understand, all he says but I bet his sermons aren't boring.