Archbishops of Armagh joint video message for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: 'Do you believe this'

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Source: Irish Catholic Bishops Conference

The 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be marked by Archbishop Eamon Martin, Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, and Archbishop John McDowell, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh, on the theme 'Do you believe this'. A brief video has been recorded in which the Archbishops reflect on this year's theme, Do you believe this? They discuss the vital role faith plays in sustaining hope amidst personal and societal challenges today. Archbishops Martin and McDowell also reflect on the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, sharing insights into their own work as Archbishops of Armagh.

Archbishop Martin says: "It is particularly significant that, for this year, our Week of Prayer for Christian Unity resources have been prepared by the ecumenical community of Bose, Italy, as 2025 marks the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, the first ecumenical council of the Church and one which led to the Nicene Creed, which is recited and professed at Mass each Sunday."

The 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will take place from Saturday 18 to 25 January, the octave of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The chosen theme for this year focuses on the question posed by Jesus to Martha: 'Do you believe this?' (John 11:26).

Resources for this special Week of Prayer, have been provided by the community of Bose, an ecumenical monastery of brothers and sisters in northern Italy, who generously drafted the prayers and reflections for this year.

Photos and details of events held can be posted to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity wall by using the hashtag #wpcuwall.

For each day of the Week of Prayer, specific prayer themes (see below) will be promoted on Catholic Bishops social media platforms X, Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky using hashtag #wpcu2025 and #wpcuwall.

Daily reflections on the theme for the 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The texts provided for personal or communal prayer for each of the eight days include two scripture readings and a psalm. The biblical texts for each day highlight in turn key statements of the Nicene Creed. Click here to access these reflections in full: https://ctbi.org.uk/resources/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2025/ .

The subjects are:

Day 1: The fatherhood and motherhood of God who rules the universe.
Day 2: Creation as God's work.
Day 3: The Incarnation of the Son.
Day 4: The Paschal Mystery: Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus.
Day 5: The Holy Spirit, breath of God.
Day 6: The Church: Community of believers.
Day 7: Baptism into the Death and Resurrection of the Lord.
Day 8: Waiting for the Kingdom.

Watch the Archbishops video message here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cB2atFTckE