18th-25th January
Introduction to the theme for 2026
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.” (Ephesians 4:4)
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 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. 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 divine unity is central to our mission and is sustained by the profound love of Jesus Christ, who has set before us a unified purpose.
Throughout the Holy Scriptures, God’s call to unity resonates from the earliest times. Starting with the Old Testament, Abram’s plea to Lot highlights the divine desire for peace and harmony among the faithful: ‘Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herders and my herders; for we are kindred’ (Genesis 13:8). Abram’s call for harmony and mutual respect, despite their eventual parting of ways, emphasises the importance of living peacefully.
The Psalms celebrate the beauty of unity among God’s people, declaring, ‘How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!’ (Psalm 133:1).
In the New Testament, Jesus’ prayer in John 17:21 calls for believers to be one, as He and the Father are one, demonstrating that our unity is grounded in our relationship with Christ and our collective mission of sharing the good news. The foundational command of Jesus to love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34-35) reinforces that this love is the essence of our unity.
Paul’s epistles stress the importance of unity within the Church, urging us to live lives worthy of our calling with humility, gentleness, patience and love (Ephesians 4:1-3). Ephesians 4:4 summarises the teachings of Paul about unity, emphasising here, too, that the followers of Christ represent ‘one body and one Spirit’, united in a single hope. This metaphor signifies the Church as a unified entity transcending barriers of geography, nationality, ethnicity and tradition. Paul uses the metaphor of the Church being the Body of Christ to describe its unity within the diversity of its members.
Emphasising the importance of Christian unity, Paul adds ‘one Spirit’, referring to the Holy Spirit who sustains this fellowship and empowers the Church to fulfil its mission. The Holy Spirit is the source of spiritual life and guidance among believers, ensuring that the diverse members of the Church are together in faith and purpose. The Spirit fosters a deep, spiritual connection between believers, transcending differences and creating a bond that reflects the unity of the Holy Trinity. This shared spiritual bond is a basis for reconciliation, guiding believers globally and equipping them for effective witness and ministry.
In a world with diverse and often divided traditions and expressions of Christian faith, Ephesians 4:4 reminds us that all believers are part of the ‘one body’ of Christ. This unity is not about uniformity but a common commitment to the core truths of the Christian faith. It serves as a powerful witness to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit when Christians of varied backgrounds come together with a shared goal and vision.
Through its practices and teachings, the Armenian Apostolic Church offers us a profound reflection on the essence of unity within the universal Body of Christ. In affirming the Creed, the faithful declare their belief in ‘one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church’, thereby professing the centrality of this unity to their spiritual life. This commitment to unity finds its fullest expression in the Church’s Eucharistic gatherings. Every Sunday, in the Liturgy, the faithful embrace one another and sing, ‘The Church has become one’, a tangible manifestation of their collective faith and shared purpose. The rich, martyrdom-filled history of the Armenian Church and her leaders speaks of their unwavering efforts and resilience to maintain the Christian faith in the land of Armenia and the surrounding region. Unity within the Church should transcend doctrinal affirmation; it is a lived experience that deepens their spiritual identity and strengthens their collective witness. In embracing and living out this unity, the Armenian Apostolic Church not only honours its sacred traditions but also contributes meaningfully to the broader unity of Christ’s universal Church. This reflection invites us to recognise and cherish the transformative power of unity, both within our own faith communities and in the wider Church.
Let us embrace this divine calling to unity, not as an abstract ideal but as a vital expression of our faith. In a world where the Body of Christ is wounded by divisions within and between traditions and confessions, the Apostle’s call to unity is addressed to each of us, not only as separated church communities, but also as individuals within our communities. By living in unity, we not only witness to the love and power of our Lord Jesus Christ but also embody the essence of His teachings. As we support one another and celebrate our diverse gifts and talents, let us reflect the heart of Christ and further His work on earth.
Original source: WPCU 2026