Christians from across the world are currently celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which will last until Saturday 25th January 2025. In Malta, the Jubilee with Christian brethren from other Churches will be celebrated a day earlier, during the customary Diocesan Ecumenical Service. Archbishop Charles Scicluna will lead the celebration, while the homily will be delivered by Metropolitan Kyrillos of Melite, Exarch in Malta of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. On this occasion, leaders of other Churches, including Orthodox and Protestant denominations present in the country, will also participate.
The Diocesan Ecumenical Service will take place on Friday 24th January 2025, at 6:30pm at the Church of St Nicholas in Siġġiewi. This parish was chosen because St Nicholas is an ecumenical saint, greatly revered by Catholics and Orthodox Christians. An ancient tradition also states that St Nicholas of Myra participated in the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea 1,700 years ago.
During this week, different Churches come together for ecumenical prayer, seeking unity among Christians. The theme chosen for this year is taken from the Gospel of John: “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26) – the dialogue between Jesus and Martha before the Lord performed the miracle of raising Lazarus to life. This year’s theme and prayer materials were prepared by an ecumenical group from the monastic and ecumenical community of Bose, in Northern Italy.
This year’s symbolic gesture is inspired by the Easter Vigil Liturgy, as those present will pass the light of Christ to one another through the use of candles.
It is every Christian’s duty to pray for the unity of divided Churches. This ecumenical commitment is part of the Church’s mission, especially since the Second Vatican Council. Everyone is invited to the Diocesan Ecumenical Service, which will last about an hour.