Press Release

Week of Prayer for Chistian Unity

Scheduled from 18 to 25 January, to conclude with Vespers celebrated by Pope Francis at Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls

On 23 January, the itinerant diocesan vigil

One thousand seven hundred years have passed since the first ecumenical council in history, in 325 A.D., in Nicaea, in present-day Turkey. On the occasion of the anniversary, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, to be held from 18 to 25 January, assumes a particular significance. On this latter date, Solemnity of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Pope Francis will conclude the Week with the celebration of Vespers at 17.30 in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls.

On Thursday 23 January, at 18.00, the diocese of Rome will hold an itinerant vigil – in line with the Jubilee, which invites us to become “pilgrims of hope” – involving three different places of worship: the Lutheran Church in Via Sicilia 70, the Orthodox Church of Saint Andrew, in Via Sardegna 153, and the parish of San Camillo De Lellis in Via Piemonte 41. It is not a simple prayer vigil, but rather a brief pilgrimage in three stages, with three biblical meditations offered by the pastor Mirella Manocchio for the Evangelicals, by the Reverend Fr. Simeone Katsinas for the Orthodox, and by Bishop Paolo Ricciardi, diocesan delegate for ecumenism and dialogue, for the Catholic Church. Lamps and reflections will be brought to each church, symbolizing light and hope. “This offering of gifts also represents circularity, sharing and diversity in the same faith”, underlines Msgr. Marco Gnavi, head of the Office for Ecumenism and Religious Dialogue of the diocese of Rome.

“Do you believe this?” (Jn 11:26), is the theme that will accompany the Week. The prayers and reflections have been edited by the brothers and sisters of the Monastic Community of Bose, in northern Italy; an international group appointed by the Dicastery for the promotion of Christian unity and by the Faith and Constitution Commission of the Ecumenical Council of Churches worked together with the editors. The theme is inspired by the dialogue between Jesus and Martha, during Jesus' visit to the house of Martha and Mary in Bethany, after the death of their brother Lazarus, as narrated by the evangelist John.

Msgr. Gnavi observes: “The theme chosen for this year was drawn from the dialogue between Jesus and Martha, faced with the challenge of the death of Lazarus and faith in the Resurrection of Christ. A central theme, because today not only the Churches but also the people must face many expressions of real death, which also means division, separation, up to conflict and the massacre of the innocents. Even in the personal life of each individual”, the priest continues, “many are alone and the uncertainty of the present poses a request for answers. The dialogue between Jesus and Martha shows how in every man and every woman there is a question, implicit or explicit, of faith. These words also help us to remember the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, which gave us this profession of faith that unites us all in baptism”.

Journalists and media workers who wish to participate in Vespers with the Holy Father must apply, no less than 24 hours before the event, exclusively via the Holy See Press Office online accreditation system, at: press.vatican.va/accreditamenti.

Accreditation is not required for the other events.

13 January 2024

Giulia Rocchi, Press and Social Communications Office
of the Vicariate of Rome

tel. +390669886343/150; +393393749085

e-mail stampa@diocesidiroma.it; giulia.rocchi@diocesidiroma.it