The organisers are spreading the word online, urging people to join a web group to pray and receive religious teachings.

The website also offers an opportunity for discussion and debate online about everything from theology to more down-to-earth issues like divorce and gay adoption.

This is a community for the 21st Century and we have to be realistic about life and its demands on modern people

Reverend Iris McIntyre

Billed as "worship for the 21st Century" and launched on Tuesday, the web service is the brainchild of members of the Pilgrim Community of Bangor Monachorum, near Wrexham.

The online programme, which has taken three years to develop, is open to all faiths.

Users will be invited to attend a virtual initiation ceremony, commit to a series of basic principles, and will be asked to offer to an e-prayer each day.

They may also want to share their own spiritual journeys and experiences by logging onto the website's message forum.

The launch comes just a day after the ordination on Monday of the new Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams - the former Archbishop of Wales - who wants to kick-start dwindling participation in spiritual activity.

Reverend Iris McIntyre launched the site

The Monachorum's Abbot, Reverend Iris McIntyre, said the website aimed to make spirituality more accessible for people wanting to explore their beliefs.

"This is a community for the 21st Century and we have to be realistic about life and its demands on modern people," she said.

"Where people live in isolated situations, or where their life or work situations make church membership difficult or impossible, we can provide a real sense of belonging to a community.

"Spirituality is not something you can buy off the peg or force on someone else.

Worship

"It is a matter of growing into being yourself within the world.

"We already have Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists and Quakers who have joined - as well as some who would not wish to take on any labels.

"We particularly hope to welcome those who have been marginalized or hurt by the Church."

Web users looking for further fulfilment from the site can visit the community's physical home at Bangor-on-Dee.

It is the oldest monastic site in Britain and can be traced back to 180AD, according to the community's website.

Seminars and retreat days are available for people looking for further support and encouragement in their lives.

Web users are asked to contribute a small fee to offset costs of web-hosting.