Biography:
Arthur Owen Blessitt is a traveling Christian preacher, most famous for carrying a 12-foot, 45-lb cross through every sovereign nation of the world. He is known internationally as the "Pilgrim with the Cross." Blessitt has dedicated his life to this single mission. He began his crusade in Hollywood, Calf. on Christmas Day, 1969. He completed his journey on June 7, 2008. Blessitt was the first to carry the Cross around the world on foot, which is the longest journey in the history of the world and is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for the “World’s Longest Walk.” During his crusade, Arthur has traveled to some of the most farthest and most dangerous places of the World—scaling mountains, crossing deserts, and also into to war-torn countries such as Lebanon and parts of Africa to pray for peace. During the Cold War, Blessitt carried his cross into the Soviet Union, through Russia, the Baltic States, Ukraine and other countries. He has carried the cross through such places as Iraq, North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan, China, South Africa, Lebanon, India, Antarctica, Palestine, Israel, Cuba, Libya, Yemen, Vietnam and Mongolia. In total, Blessitt has walked 38,102 miles through 315 countries (including Island Groups and Territories), of which 52 were in open war. He has crossed every ocean and walked on all seven continents (including Antarctica).