For this year, the prayers and reflections for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity have been prepared by the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic Church, along with their brothers and sisters of the Armenian Catholic, and Evangelical Churches. These resources were developed, written, and discussed at the historic spiritual and administrative headquarters of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in Armenia, during the inspiring days of the blessing of the Muron (holy oil) and there-consecration of the Mother Cathedral, on September 28-29, 2024, following extensive renovations over ten years. This commemoration provided the people of Armenia and the members of the drafting group with a unique opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the common Christian faith that remains alive and fruitful in our churches today. These resources draw upon centuries-old traditions of prayer and petitions used by the Armenian people, along with hymns that originated in the ancient monasteries and churches of Armenia, some of which date as far back as the fourth century. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 extends an invitation to draw upon this shared Christian heritage and to delve more deeply into our fellowship in Christ, which unites Christians worldwide.
Unity is a divine mandate at the core of our Christian identity, more than simply an ideal. It represents the essence of the Church’s calling –a call to reflect the harmonious oneness of our life in Christ amidst our diversity. This divineunity is central to our mission and is sustained by the profound love of Jesus Christ, who has set before us a unified purpose. As the Apostle Paul asserts in his letter to the Ephesians, “there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (4:4). This Bible verse, chosen for this year, encapsulates the theological depth of Christian unity.
