WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -A pilgrimage is a sacred journey, undertaken for a spiritual purpose. Pilgrims are different from tourists: they travel for spiritual reasons, not just to relax or for fun. Pilgrimage is a search for meaning, purpose, values or truth (and in this sense, like life).

Detailed explanation-2: -The earliest Christian pilgrims wished to see the places where Jesus and the apostles had lived on earth. This meant journeying to the Holy Land, a relatively easy feat in the fourth century, when the Roman empire still unified the Mediterranean world.

Detailed explanation-3: -In the Middle Ages the Church encouraged people to make pilgrimages to special holy places called shrines. It was believed that if you prayed at these shrines you might be forgiven for your sins and have more chance of going to heaven. Others went to shrines hoping to be cured from an illness they were suffering from.

Detailed explanation-4: -Through relics, saints were believed to have the ability to perform miracles, especially on behalf of those who came near to the relic, or even touched it. As many still do today, countless medieval Christians went on pilgrimages to visit relics in search of healing powers or miracles.

Detailed explanation-5: -During the Middle Ages thousands of pilgrims came on a journey to Canterbury each year to visit the shrine of Thomas Becket to pray and seek help for their problems.