News - Spiritual Milestone: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Concludes at Etchmiadzin

On January 25, a significant ecclesiastical event took place in Armenia’s spiritual heart, the Mother Cathedral of Etchmiadzin. His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, led a Divine Liturgy that was both a culmination and a celebration of a week dedicated to fostering Christian unity—a joint initiative organized by the Vatican and the World Council of Churches (WCC), with a special focus on Armenia. The Divine Liturgy, officiated by Father Movses Sargsyan, the spiritual leader of the Armenian Armed Forces, emphasized the collective efforts towards unity and peace across Christian communities. This sacred gathering was not merely an ecclesiastical obligation but a profound expression of interfaith cooperation, symbolizing the solidarity that transcends borders and doctrinal divisions. Throughout the week, the faithful participated in a series of religious services and prayer sessions. Each day’s theme revolved around different aspects of unity, underscoring the message of shared faith and mutual respect among diverse Christian traditions. The materials used for these prayer sessions were meticulously prepared by the Armenian Apostolic Church, reflecting Armenia’s historical and contemporary commitment to Christianity’s tenets of love, understanding, and reconciliation. The concluding prayer for Christian unity marked the end of a profoundly moving week of spiritual devotion and reflection, re-affirming the community’s dedication to collective worship and spiritual harmony. This initiative, characterized by its inclusive spirit and message of peace, aimed to rekindle a sense of camaraderie and a deeper appreciation for the universal values that bind Christian believers worldwide. In his address, Fr. Movses articulated the necessity of such initiatives, not only as a religious duty but as a response to the fractured state of global religious communities. He emphasized the pivotal role that such gatherings play in strengthening bonds within and across congregations, fostering an environment where dialogue and understanding can flourish. With the shadows of the past still lingering in many parts of the world, the importance of these events cannot be overstated. They serve as a reminder of the strength found in unity and the hopeful trust in the shared quest for a common good. The week’s activities have set a precedent for future engagements, inspiring other communities to embrace similar endeavors, with the hope that such unity will become a cornerstone of future interfaith relations.