New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Pilgrimage: Jerusalem and Iona

I can explain the role and importance of Jerusalem and Iona as Christian pilgrimage sites.

New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Pilgrimage: Jerusalem and Iona

I can explain the role and importance of Jerusalem and Iona as Christian pilgrimage sites.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A pilgrimage is a religious journey to a holy place; it is considered an act of worship and devotion.
  2. Pilgrimage featured in Jesus' life when he took part in the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Passover (Luke 2:42).
  3. Jerusalem has historical and religious significance dating back to the time of Jesus, and is a popular pilgrimage site.
  4. In 563 AD, St. Columba founded a monastery on Iona and it became a major centre of early Christianity in Scotland.
  5. Christians may visit Jerusalem and Iona to connect with Christian history, strengthen their faith, worship God and pray.

Keywords

  • Iona - a place of pilgrimage to where St Columba founded a monastery in the sixth century

  • Jerusalem - a city in the Middle East where Jesus lived, taught, died and resurrected; a pilgrimage destination for many Christians

  • Pilgrimage - a religious journey to a holy site/sacred place, it is an act of worship and devotion

Common misconception

Pilgrimage destinations are always places linked to Jesus.

Christian pilgrimage destinations can be places linked to Jesus, such as Jerusalem, but they can also be places that are significant for other reasons, such as Iona, which was an important early Christian site in Western Europe.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Pilgrimage: Jerusalem and Iona, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You could extend learning by asking students to complete an evaluation question which allows them to compare and contrast Iona and Jerusalem as Christian places of pilgrimage.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following are commonly regarded as sacraments by many Christians?

marriage and charity
confession and fasting
Correct answer: baptism and Eucharist

Q2.
Baptism is believed by some to wash away sin.

Correct Answer: original, Original

Q3.
What does the Eucharist primarily remember?

Correct answer: Jesus’ death and resurrection
Jesus’ birth
Jesus' miracles

Q4.
There are different of baptism and the Eucharist among Christian denominations.

Correct Answer: interpretations, Interpretations

Q5.
Why are sacraments such as baptism and the Eucharist important for Christians?

They are entertaining.
Correct answer: They help grow closer to God and follow Jesus’ example.
They replace reading the Bible.

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match each term to its meaning.

Correct Answer:pilgrimage,a religious journey to a holy site or sacred place

a religious journey to a holy site or sacred place

Correct Answer:Iona,a place of pilgrimage where there is a monastery

a place of pilgrimage where there is a monastery

Correct Answer:Jerusalem,a city where Jesus lived, taught, died and resurrected

a city where Jesus lived, taught, died and resurrected

Q2.
Many Christians go on pilgrimage because Jesus and his family went to for Passover.

Correct Answer: Jerusalem, jerusalem

Q3.
Which of the following is a reason Christians go to Jerusalem?

to visit modern churches
to study people
Correct answer: to connect with events from the Bible

Q4.
The Garden of is where Jesus prayed before being arrested.

Correct Answer: Gethsemane, gethsemane

Q5.
St. Columba founded a monastery on the island of ...

Correct Answer: Iona

Q6.
Why is Iona considered a Christian pilgrimage site?

It is mentioned in the Bible.
Jesus performed miracles there.
Correct answer: It was a centre for early Christianity in Western Europe.