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.
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.