As the first light of Easter morning breaks over the Isle of Man, Bishop Tricia Hillas begins a symbolic pilgrimage from the summit of Snaefell — the island’s highest point. On a clear day, the peak offers a rare and remarkable sight: views of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, four nations stretching out in all directions, connected by sea and story.
From this lofty vantage, Bishop Hillas begins her descent, walking toward the western shore at Peel. It is a journey not just of distance, but of reflection — echoing the Easter story itself, from darkness to light, from death to new life.
Along the way, she reflects on the island’s deep religious roots. The Isle of Man’s Christian heritage runs deep, shaped by early Celtic saints like St. Maughold, who brought a faith that embraced silence, solitude, and the sacredness of nature. Centuries later, that spiritual tradition still resonates in the rhythms of island life. The Reverends Ian Faulds and Alex Brown contribute along the way.
Peel, with its ancient cathedral ruins on St. Patrick’s Isle and its storied coastline, marks a fitting end to the journey. There, beside the ever-moving sea, the message of Easter takes on new meaning — not only as a celebration of resurrection, but as a reminder of resilience, hope, and community.
For Bishop Hillas and many on the island, this pilgrimage is more than ritual. It is a declaration: that even in uncertain times, light still breaks, and the story of Easter still speaks.
You can listen to the broadcast service from 6:35am on Easter Day on the link below:
