Christians across the UK enjoyed beautiful scenes from Lindisfarne this weekend as the Northumberland island played host to the Easter Sunday broadcast of Songs of Praise.
The BBC One religious programme, which has been on our screens since 1961, celebrated the centuries-old Christian heritage of the tidal island and explored its significance to people of that faith today.
Featuring two hymns sung by parishioners at St Mary's church, on the island, as well as a number of songs from churches and cathedrals across the country, the show shone a spotlight on the pilgrims who, for nearly 50 years, have been journeying to the island on foot every Easter.
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The Northern Cross pilgrims have been making an annual journey of more than 100 miles on foot bearing crosses to Lindisfarne during Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter Sunday) since 1976. They always walk the last few miles, across the causeway, with bare feet, and this year they were joined by Songs Of Praise presenter Sean Fletcher.
Pilgrim Pete Coppola told him that the journey out to the island, which was one of the most important centres of early Christianity in Britain, was "the best way to celebrate Easter".
Explaining the significance of the barefoot walk, he said: "This is part of the penance of going on pilgrimage. It's remembering Good Friday, Jesus going up to Calvary and carrying the cross, and this is what we are doing. This is our journey, our walk of witness.
"Everybody is welcome to come along and walk together, to share fellowship and worship. It's great coming back to Lindisfarne, it's the best way to celebrate Easter."
Did you spot Holy Island on Songs of Praise this Sunday? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Alongside discussions of the Christian history of the island and a segment on the famous Lindisfarne Gospels with Holy Island's vicar, Revd Canon Dr Sarah Hills, presenter Sean also met visitors to the island who are part of the Birmingham-based Urband Change Makers programme, supporting people to have a positive impact in their inner-city communities. They said the visit to the island had been deeply inspiring.
One woman, whose name was given only as Clare, said: "I didn't grow up going to church but I've been around a lot of people that go to church and I never felt church was for me. Coming to Holy Island for the first time I felt I was getting there... I had an experience the other week where I actually felt arms around me and felt this overwhelming love. I've actually felt accepted by God and I've never experience anything like that before."
The beauty of the spiritually significant island also moved many of those watching the Easter Sunday programme.
One viewer tweeted: "So excited to see #SongsOfPraise coming from the Holy Island of Lindisfarne... I’m coming to you soon, Lindisfarne!"
Another said there was "no better place for Easter Sunday" than the history-steeped island, while another viewer called the island "beautiful".
