WCC NEWS: WCC observes Blessing of the Waters tradition with prayers for ongoing work

As the World Council of Churches (WCC) staff and partners gathered on 9 January, they observed the annual Blessing of the Waters, which  according to Orthodox tradition celebrates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. On 09 January 2023, WCC staff and partners gathered, they observed the annual Blessing of the Waters, which according to Orthodox tradition celebrates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. Staff within the offices of the Ecumenical Centre received with appreciation water sprinkled upon them as a blessing. Rev. Vivek Varghese blessed the offices. He's the pastor responsible for the congregation of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in Switzerland, and a doctoral student at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Photo: Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC 09 January 2023 During morning prayers, Rev. Vivek Varghese, the pastor responsible for the congregation of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in Switzerland, and a doctoral student at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, offered reflections. Prayers of intercession—the beginning of the WCC’s first ecumenical prayer cycle for the year—focused on Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Staff within the offices of the Ecumenical Centre also received with appreciation water sprinkled upon them as a blessing for them and their ongoing work for justice, reconciliation, and unity. “The blessing of the staff offices is a wonderful spiritual moment as we begin the new year entrusting all the work that lies before us to God’s providence “said Rev. Dr Mikie Roberts, WCC programme executive for Spiritual Life. Link to the reflection Link to the liturgy Photo gallery See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland