| The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was observed across the world with services, prayers, and gatherings—all with a heart for bringing together people in profound ways. From 18–25 January, people were inspired by the 2025 theme, “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26), as they united in prayer and reflection. |
|
 | | A special prayer service for the Christian unity in the Cathedral of St. George in Jerusalem on Sunday, 26 January 2025. Photo: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land |
|
Putting aside all that separates us Conference of European Churches president His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain joined Łódź Holy Mass for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on 20 January at the invitation of His Eminence Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś, Archbishop of Łódź. In his sermon, Archbishop Nikitas highlighted the need for solidarity, mutual understanding, and faith to overcome divisions. "We gather not as Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, or Protestants, but simply as Christians, putting aside all that separates us," he said. In Jerusalem, people convened for special prayer services each evening in a different church. Concluding the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Middle East Council of Churches also culminated the commemoration of its 50th anniversary. |
|
 | | During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, President of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), along with Church leaders from various traditions, participated in a Holy Mass at Łódź Cathedral at the invitation of His Eminence Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś, Archbishop of Łódź, Poland, 20 January 2025. Photo: Archidiecezja Łódzka |
|
At the First Armenian Evangelical Church in Beirut, the prayer included a candlelight service. Rev, Dr Paul Haidostian delivered a speech in which he said: “As this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity concludes today, I remember all those in our world who cannot pray freely and peacefully due to persecution, injustice, fear, ignorance, arrogance, or hopelessness. I pray that the MECC and all churches together become a true witness to the liberating love of God, and that all people may see that what binds us together is not just our efforts but our rootedness in Christ and His love.” Tuning in Churches Together in England brought a higher profile than usual to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity when prayers and songs were played over local radio stations as well as BBC. “The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity rarely makes headlines but it makes a real difference to those involved and is a great example of Christian witness in communities up and down the country,” said Churches Together In England principal officer for Ecumenical Development and Relations Doral Hayes. |
|
 | | BBC One marked the start of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity with the program “Songs of Praise” featuring Churches Together in England, the conference that brings together leaders from different church traditions, including Anglican, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Orthodox, and many more. Photo: screenshot from www.bbc.co.uk |
|
This year, though, the special week did make a few headlines when the BBC featured it. “Did you know there are nearly 300 different church denominations in the UK?” read a promotion for the BBC show, entitled “Songs of Praise.” Reflecting faith in the Triune God In India, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was observed in Delhi in various churches, and was promoted by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India and the National Council of Churches in India. Catholic Archbishop Anil JT Couto of Delhi emphasized the importance of unity among Christians. He stated, "Our Christian life should reflect our faith in the Triune God." The archbishop stressed that, in Christ, Christians are called to experience a newness of life through humility and fidelity to their faith, which ultimately unites them in fellowship to heal a broken world. |
|
 | | Christian communities in Delhi, India gather in prayer for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, observed from January 18 to 25, 2025, promoting unity and fellowship. Photo: Radio Veritas Asia |
|
Connecting the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea As churches celebrated the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, they also made special acknowledgement that the year 2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. For example, churches in France celebrated a special connection with Christian unity during a celebration organized on 18 February in Lyon that included the three co-presidents of the Council of Christian Churches in France – Metropolitan Dimitrios, president of the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops of France; Pastor Christian Krieger, president of the Protestant Federation of France; and Archbishop Éric de Moulins-Beaufort, president of the French Bishops' Conference. Lyon has a special connection with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity since it was here that the Roman Catholic priest Paul Couturier advocated in 1935 the “Universal Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” on the basis of prayer for “the unity Christ wills by the means he wills.” This was one of the initiatives that has contributed to the week of prayer as it is celebrated today. Coinciding with the event, the Council of Christian Churches in France published a statement to commemorate the Nicaea anniversary, signed by the three co-presidents. “One of the aims of Nicaea 325 was the unity of the Church,” the statement recalled. “The anniversary of this first Council could be an opportunity to dream in the 21st century of a new Council, a Council of unity, which would bring together all the denominations and take a decisive step towards the visible unity of Christians.” |
|
 | | On Friday, January 17, the celebration of the Ecumenical Day between the Protestant University of Central Africa (PUCA) and the Catholic University of Central Africa (CUCA) took place in Cameroon. In prelude to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the event in Nkolbisson, Yaoundé, was themed from John 11:26: "Do you believe this?". It was the sixth edition of the celebration, demonstrating the commitment of both universities to promote the unity of Christians in accordance with Christ's call in John 17:21: "That they may all be one." Photo: Pierre Yougouda |
|
Realigning our hearts in gatherings large and small The Franciscan Friars and Sisters of the Atonement of Graymoor in Garrison, New York (US) hosted an ecumenical service, both in-person and online, on 22 January at the Interchurch Center Chapel in New York City. In their invitation to Christians far and wide, they wrote that the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity “continues today to realign the hearts of Christians toward mutual recognition and spiritual transformation.” Many small groups quietly gathered for simple prayers that, while unknown to many, powerfully united a world facing grave challenges. On 21 January, for example, people prayed around a Taize cross at the Newman Center/Holy Spirit Parish at the University of Hawaii at Manoa during an annual ecumenical Taize service marking the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. |
|
 | | People prayed around the Taize cross Jan. 21 at the Newman Center/Holy Spirit Parish at the University of Hawaii at Manoa during the annual ecumenical Taize service marking the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Photo: Courtesy Dann Ebina |
|
|
2024 Advent Resources Advent Candle Litanies “Hope: The First Sunday of Advent” “Peace: The Second Sunday of Advent” “Joy: The Third Sunda...
No comments:
Post a Comment