The opening service in Dublin for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, organised by the Dublin Council of Churches, took place in St Thomas Indian Orthodox Church in Palmerstown on Sunday evening, January 18, and was attended by Archbishop Dermot Farrell.
Those in attendance included Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of the United Kingdom and Ireland, who preached; Archbishop Michael Jackson; and clergy and representatives from the affiliated churches of the Dublin Council of Churches.
Fr Stanly David James of St Thomas Indian Orthodox Church welcomed those gathered. Deacon Eamonn Murray, chairperson of the Dublin Council of Churches and deacon in Navan Road Parish, introduced the service.
All who gathered in Palmerstown reflected and prayed on this year’s theme: “One Body, One Spirit” (Ephesians 4:4).
The theme, prayers, readings, and intercessions for the Ecumenical Service were prepared by the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic Church, along with their brothers and sisters of the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Church.
The youth choir of St Thomas Indian Orthodox Church sang and provided accompanying music.
Bishop Hovakim said: “We gather in prayer as members of one Body, united in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity invites us to pause, to listen, and to remember who we truly are in Christ. Before we belong to any tradition, denomination, or nation, we belong to Him. We are baptised into one faith, nourished by one Gospel, and called to bear witness to one love.”
“Unity begins not in institutions, but in repentance; not in documents, but in prayer; not in negotiations, but in love. Ecumenism is not paperwork. It is relationship. Sisters and brothers, I may not be the first to say this, but perhaps, the world does not need perfect Christians. It needs united Christians.
“Christ did not pray that we would think alike. He prayed, ‘That they may all be one.’ Let us answer His prayer with our lives. May our unity preach louder than words. May our love witness stronger than arguments. And may Christ, who is revealed among us, be glorified in His One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.”
Leaders of all churches gave the final blessing and all in attendance were invited to partake in refreshments provided by the management committee and community members of the of St Thomas Indian Orthodox Church.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes place annually from January 18 to 25. These dates were proposed in 1908 by Paul Wattson and conclude with the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul. This week extends an invitation to draw upon our shared Christian heritage and to delve into the fellowship in Christ which unites Christians worldwide.
With thanks to Deacon Eamonn Murray
Donations
Volunteer
Mass Times