The Church of England is consecrating its first female bishop during a ceremony at York Minster.
The Reverend Libby Lane, 48, is being ordained as the new Bishop of Stockport, in what she says will be a "profound and remarkable moment".
The Church formally adopted legislation last November to allow women bishops.
The move, which ends a centuries-old tradition of exclusively male bishops, has continued to prompt divisions between some Anglicans.
Mrs Lane has been vicar of St Peter's Hale and St Elizabeth's Ashley, in Greater Manchester, since April 2007.
Her appointment was announced last month and these Monday are seeing the consecration, or the process of being made holy, take place.
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, centre, is leading the consecration
The two-hour service - expected to be attended by more than 1,000 people - will be led by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, during which he and other bishops will lay their hands on Mrs Lane and pray.
Dr Sentamu tweeted that he was "thrilled" to be taking part.
MORE ON REVEREND LIBBY LANE
- Vicar of St Peter's Hale and St Elizabeth's Ashley, in Greater Manchester, since April 2007
- Ordained as deacon in 1993 and as priest in 1994, serving her curacy at St James's Church, Blackburn
- Since January 2010, she has been Dean of Women in Ministry for the Diocese of Chester
- Her husband, George, is also a priest
- They were one of the first married couples in the Church of England to be ordained together
- She is a Manchester United supporter and is learning to play the saxophone, according to her church's website
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