Christians from across the world celebrated the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which lasted until Saturday, 25th January 2025. In Malta, the Jubilee with Christian brethren from other Churches was celebrated a day earlier, during the customary Diocesan Ecumenical Service.
Archbishop Charles Scicluna led the celebration, while the homily was 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, also participated.
The Diocesan Ecumenical Service took place 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 stated that St Nicholas of Myra participated in the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea 1,700 years ago.
During the week, different Churches came together for ecumenical prayer, seeking unity among Christians. The theme chosen for the year was 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.
The year’s theme and prayer materials were prepared by an ecumenical group from the monastic and ecumenical community of Bose, in Northern Italy. The year’s symbolic gesture was inspired by the Easter Vigil Liturgy, as those present passed the light of Christ to one another through the use of candles.
