From January 18 to 25, Christians across the globe observe the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, an annual invitation to pray together, encounter one another, and renew hope for the full communion of all who believe in Christ.
One Body, One Spirit: Praying for Christian Unity
This year’s theme is drawn from Saint 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.” According to Father Martin Browne, an official of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, the passage captures the biblical heart of the ecumenical journey.
“Obviously that’s one of the key New Testament texts for Christian unity,” Fr. Browne explained, “because the word ‘one’ appears very often… one Spirit, one hope—but also one body, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father.”
An Ancient Witness Shaping Today’s Prayer
That emphasis on “one” also shaped the preparations behind the scenes. This year, the international ecumenical group—co-chaired by Fr. Browne—finalized the prayers and hymns prepared in Etchmiadzin, the Mother See of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Reflecting on the significance of this choice, Fr. Browne highlighted the ancient roots of Armenian Christianity. “They’re very proud of their tradition of being one of the oldest churches,” he said. “They have had the faith evangelized by the apostles, Thaddeus and Bartholomew.”
In Rome, Archimandrite Athanas Sargsyan emphasized that the Armenian Church brings a witness shaped by fidelity—often lived through suffering—along with a deeply rooted spiritual heritage.
“It can also offer a profound liturgical tradition, rich in meaning,” he said, “which helps people to pray, to pause in silence, and to draw closer to God.” Armenian spirituality, he added, “invites a simple and sincere relationship with Christ, based on prayer and trust in God’s mercy.”
Choosing Hope and Communion
At its core, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a deliberate choice—especially when unity feels distant or difficult. Fr. Browne stressed that hope remains essential to the ecumenical path.
“Hope is our refusal to give into despair,” he said. “We’re also refusing to give into despair regarding the unity of the Church, even though in many cases the barriers seem insurmountable.”
In Rome, the Week concludes on January 25 with Ecumenical Vespers at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, when the Bishop of Rome prays together with representatives of other Christian churches and communities. Yet Fr. Browne emphasized that unity is also lived locally, in simple and concrete ways.
“Simple things like visiting another church,” he said, “inviting people from other churches to visit our church or just having a coffee morning or an afternoon tea or something… just share a time to share and get to know one another.”
For Archimandrite Athanas, the goal of unity does not mean erasing differences. Rather, it is about communion rooted in love.
“Unity can be seen as a family,” he said. “In a family, each person is different, yet everyone belongs to the same home.” So too, he explained, are the Christian Churches: “different from one another but united in the one family of Christ—by the same love and the same faith.”
As Christians pray together during this Week, the Church is reminded that unity is not achieved by human effort alone, but received as a gift—nurtured through prayer, encounter, and steadfast hope in God’s promise.
Adapted by Jacob Stein. Produced by Alexey Gotovskiy; Camera by Alberto Basile; Video edited by Ilaria Chimenti.
