Week of Prayer for Christian Unity... Soon
What Are the Meanings of this Annual Historical Date?
With the preparations for Christmas, Churches in the Middle East and the world are being ready to celebrate an annual and historic Ecumenical station in January, which is the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.” A station that includes eight days of daily Prayers around the world, extending from 18 to 25 January of each year. Hence, we walk together as one united family according to the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, especially since He commanded us “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (John 17:21).
Two months are left to the Week of Prayer for a unity that Christians have been waiting for during several decades, so Prayer remains their source of strength and hope that they derive from the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, this Week carries profound Christian and theological meanings, as it began to be celebrated in 1908, and its date has a special significance that makes it as a Christian tradition. The unified Prayers of Unity Week start on 18 January, as it reminds us of the Chair of St. Peter the Apostle. These Prayers end on 25 January, on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle.
Chair of St. Peter the Apostle
The Lord Jesus entrusted Peter with a nobel mission and a message of preaching to be the head of the Apostles and the sign for their unity. He addressed him saying “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Peter, "the Chief of the Apostles", who bore the responsibility of serving the unity of the Church, was a simple fisherman. He denied Christ three times, but returned to himself and repented. When the Apostles dispersed to spread for preaching throughout the earth, Peter remained in Jerusalem and Judea to continue his preaching.
In the year 35 or 36, Peter moved to Antioch, where he established his Chair and continued his evangelization as the Head of the Church until the year 42. In the year 43, he went to Rome and moved with him his See, inspired by God. He entrusted St. Odeus to be his successor over the Church of Antioch. However, Peter was imprisoned twice during his mission, for defending the word of Truth. the angel of the Lord saved him the first time, Nero sentenced him the second time to be crucified. He asked to crucify his head down. He was martyred in 67 AD in Rome and his body was placed in the Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican City.
Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle
As for Saint Paul the Apostle, he was a Jew and Pharisee of the tribe of Benjamin, who persecuted the Church of God and fought the name of Jesus Chris. But his greatness was known through the story of his amazing conversion on the Damascus Road, where he had a vision that led to the loss of his eyesight. A great light shone upon him from heaven, and Jesus Christ appeared and spoke to him, helping him realize that Christ had risen from the dead, contrary to his beliefs.
Since that incident, Paul believed in Christ and regained his sight after he was baptized by Ananias. He became a preacher of the word of Truth and a hard worker to establish the Christian faith throughout the world. Therefore, Christians celebrate the feast of his Conversion in confirmation of their recognition of the greatness of the Divine Grace that overcomes all sins.
Therefore, the Apostles Peter and Paul constitute an example of returning to oneself, repenting, and working hard for the unity that Christians seek today. Thus, they raise their Prayers with a humble heart and a contrite spirit for this desired Christian goal, so that Unity Week becomes an invitation to continue Praying together during all days of the year.