Priest ventures to Middle East

Rev Graham Coles, of St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Lillington, will spend two weeks in Jerusalem and Palestine to get a mental picture of the places he preaches about every week.

The minister has the financial backing of the Coventry diocese but has also partly funded the venture himself through a sponsored cycle ride and other events.

He will share the trip with Rev Stella Bailey, from the parish of St Mary Magdalene in Hearsall, Coventry.

The pair will stay in a Syrian Orthodox monastery and visit the Anglican Cathedral in Jerusalem as well as places on the West Bank which are open to people of all races and religions.

Mr Cole said: “I want to find out what it is like to be a Christian where Christianity is a minority religion and talk to people living in an occupied land.”