Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Sunday, January 25
Lutheran Church of the Redeemer

Monday, January 26
St. Anthony's Church, Coptic Orthodox

Tuesday, January 27
Anglican Cathedral of St. George

Wednesday, January 28
Armenian Cathedral of St. James

Thursday, January 29
Upper Room, Cenacle, Mount Zion

Friday, January 30
Latin Patriarchate Church

Saturday, January 31
Ethiopian Orthodox Church

Sunday, February 1
Greek Catholic Church of Annunciation

In the Middle East, as in all contexts where the adherents of different religions live side by side, constructive relationships between religious traditions are an essential pre-requisite if we are to be blessed with the gift of peace. In turn, a spirit of reconciliation and common witness among Christians and Christian communities is foundational to the pursuit of peace. our common concern for the establishment of peace should serve to draw us closely into communion with one another. Our Christian faith tells us that true peace is given us only if we follow God's ways, as set forth in scripture, and if we take up the path to peace proclaimed and lived by Jesus Christ. "He is our peace" (Eph 2:14), and as his disciples, our unity must be a reconciliation in him. The witness to peace of a fragmented Christian community is fraught with ambiguities: an inner contradiction weakens our ability to spread Christ's peace. By contrast, unity among the churches gives power and credibility to our witness, setting before the world the vision of a universal reconciliation in Christ. Reconciliation among the churches is a way to peace and gives integrity to its proclamation.