‘Do you believe this?’ – John 11:26
Bishop Michael Burrows, as Chair of the Commission for Christian Unity and Dialogue, has encouraged parishes to consider celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, to take place in January, with resources prepared by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. This annual initiative traditionally takes place between 18th and 25th January – the Octave of St Peter and St Paul – although it may be arranged for other times of the year at local discretion.
The service of worship has the Nicene Creed as its heart as we celebrate 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea. Reflecting this, the Scripture readings for this year focus on belief and participants are invited to reflect on the story of Martha’s confession of faith in Jesus as narrated in John chapter 11. Each is called to sit with Jesus’ provocative question to Martha: “Do you believe this?”
Bishop Michael writes: “The liturgical resources which have been provided ecumenically and internationally for the coming year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity take a rather different tack to the themes of recent years.
“The compilers, the monastic community of Bose in Northern Italy, wish us to reflect together on the fact that 2025 marks the 1,700th anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, and therefore our thoughts are drawn to credal phrases for so long associated with the work of that Council.
“The service dwells on a text from John’s Gospel – ‘Do you believe this?’ – and asks worshippers to reflect in a unique way on the common faith of Christians and the manner of its expression and communication today. We are asked to enter more deeply into the faith that unites us all, not to be afraid to engage with matters of doctrine, and to reflect on how today, as at Nicaea, spirited discussion amongst believers holding varying theological perspectives is often the midwife of the gestation of greater truth.
“In order to give us a sense of the concerns and atmosphere of 325AD, the resources include short patristic texts intended to provide insight into the nature of Christian reflection at that time.
“The liturgical materials include as always a template service intended as a focal point for the Week of Prayer, daily resources for reflection and prayer during that week, and indeed items that could be appropriately used throughout 2025. Given the great significance of the 1,700th anniversary of Nicaea for us all, I warmly commend this very rich material, and I personally look forward greatly to using it in my own context.”
Resources are available to download from the following website with details also provided for ordering printed versions from Hymns Ancient & Modern: https://ctbi.org.uk/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2025
Bose Community – Photo Credit Jim Forest