The Archbishop of York has embarked on a six-month walking pilgrimage to each of his deaneries in the north east of England.

Dr John Sentamu started his journey yesterday morning with morning prayers at St Mary's Church in Whitby which hosted the famous synod of Whitby in AD 664, uniting Roman and Celtic branches of Christianity. He will spend six days in each of his 21 deaneries in the diocese of York, walking "considerable distances" between them.

"My prayers have led me to this pilgrimage," said Sentamu. "St Paulinus, St Aidan, St Cuthbert and St Hilda of Whitby in their time shared the good news of Jesus Christ with the people of the North.

"Praying for those who come to know Christ is a great privilege and a joy," he said.

"During this pilgrimage, I would like to encourage everyone I meet to commit themselves afresh to try praying, be open to encountering Jesus Christ, pray for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and receive the gift of the joy provided by Jesus Christ – and be thankful.

"Pray with me, and join me on the road!" said the archbishop.

A spokesman said his journey would travel from "the coast, over moor and dale, along highways and byways, through both rural and urban communities and across an area which spans the Humber to the Tees and the A1 to the coast."

This is the second time Sentamu has undertaken a significant journey on foot. While bishop of Birmingham he walked the pilgrimage of prayer, witness and blessing – a 280-mile trek.

He is expected to arrive back in York minster in time for Trinity Sunday on 22 May 2016.