In this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we can also draw from the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea a call to persevere in the journey towards unity. This year, the celebration of Easter coincides in both the Gregorian and Julian calendars, a circumstance that proves providential as we commemorate the anniversary of the Ecumenical Council. I renew my appeal that this coincidence may serve as an appeal to all Christians to take a decisive step forward towards unity.
Speaking at the conclusion of the 58th Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Pope Francis reflected on Christ’s encounter with Martha after Lazarus’ death, emphasizing that hope “rises from the ashes of death.”
The celebration on January 25th marked the solemn conclusion of this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which the pope linked to the ongoing Jubilee Year. He said:
“This message of hope is at the heart of the Jubilee we have begun. The Apostle Paul, whose conversion to Christ we commemorate today, declared to the Christians of Rome, ‘hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.’”
At the vespers service, the pope noted that the whole focus of this jubilee year is on hope and “providentially” coincides with the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.
This hope for unity has gained momentum in recent months. Last November, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople confirmed ongoing conversations between Church representatives about establishing a common Easter date, potentially beginning in 2025.
Adapted by Jacob Stein
