WCC News: Preparations for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 in Armenia guided by hope

To prepare the resources of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity for the year 2026, a joint international editing group with representatives from the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches (WCC) met in Etchmiadzin, Armenia from 12-18 October. Dome of the Church of the Holy Angels in Aragatsotn, Armenia. Photo: Martin Browne/WCC 22 October 2024 The meeting was hosted by the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, and participants of the meeting were received by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians on 17 October. The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity for 2026 comes from Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Eph. 4:4). “Our meeting in Armenia was a unique experience of pilgrimage together with our member churches,” said Rev. Dr Mikie Roberts, WCC’s programme executive for Spiritual Life and Faith and Order. “Besides visiting historical Armenian sanctuaries and learning about the history and culture of Armenian people, we had the opportunity to hear from Artsakh Armenians, who have lost so much, but are not losing their hope.” Every morning, participants gathered for morning prayer in the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, which was recently re-consecrated after a years-long renovation. To work on the materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, members of the international editing group from WCC and the Roman Catholic Church were joined by group of representatives from Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, as well as Evangelical and Roman Catholic churches in Armenia. Every year, churches and Christian communities worldwide are invited to join the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and use the resources prepared to pray together for unity among churches and Christians throughout the year. In the northern hemisphere, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated on 18-25 January; in the southern hemisphere celebrations take place around Pentecost, a symbolic date for the unity of the church. Learn more about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity  Members of the International editing group of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 resources were received by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians on 17 October in Etchmiadzin, Armenia. Photo: Armenian Apostolic Holy Church 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 general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland