To start the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Pontifical Oriental Institute led a moment of ecumenical prayer at the Church of St. Anthony the Abbot in Rome.
Students from different Christian denominations and churches, including Syro-Malabar and Orthodox, led the prayers.
FR. TEWELDE MEBRATU TEWELDE
Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Today, we have prayed about the Byzantine Rite, which is called Akathistos. It is a prayer offered to the Mother Mary because she is our force. She prays for us always.
To pray to God to give us grace come to each other's faiths and to help each other because without unity, the Church doesn't go, can't go forward.
For Fr. Tewelde, Christian unity is something tangible that he has seen in his own life at the Institute. Together with his classmates from various parts of the world and religious denominations, they began this unique week reflecting on how to be united as Christians.
FR. DOMINGO ARIANO
Roman Catholic Church
We have to be one both in prayer, in prayerfulness and in action. And this is what is being launched this week and the reason we are also being formed, for the Church and for our churches here in Rome.
Each year since the start of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 1908, different Christian denominations have gathered to foster dialogue and reflection on their goal of unity in diversity.
This year, the Week seems especially important due to the war in Ukraine, which for Fr. Ivan is a reminder that in his homeland, many Christians are fighting against one another.
FR. IVAN KISELIUK
Ukrainian Catholic Church
Now, we have a great opportunity to unite and pray to Our Lord that truly all may be one. And why this prayer is important now, especially for me, being a Christian, in these difficult times. The situation in Ukraine is very serious because, as we can see, we can say without exaggerating, that we live in a valley of tears.
Fr. Ariano also believes the work of ecumenism remains relevant today and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity highlights the ongoing work all Christians face.
FR. DOMINGO ARIANO
Roman Catholic Church
It is a week symbolic of a task that is actually for all Christians and for the whole year. That is to find a unity, a visible communion. Because in reality, the Church is already one.
This moment of ecumenical prayer shows that Christian unity is not only possible, but it begins with the relationships between individual Christians.
KG
