12.01.2026
‘One Body One Spirit’ – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Opening Service this Sunday
The opening service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 takes place this Sunday, January 18, at 8pm in St Thomas Indian Orthodox Church in Malankara House, Old Lucan Road, Palmerstown (D20 VP97).
The service is organised by the Dublin Council of Churches and the theme this year is ‘There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.’ (Ephesians 4:4)
The preacher will be Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The prayers and reflections for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 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.
Endorsing the theme for 2026, Bishop Michael Burrows, Chair of the Commission for Christian Unity and Dialogue, remarked: “This year’s material, ‘One Body, One Spirit’ (Ephesians 4:4), comes from the ancient and resilient churches of Armenia. The Armenian Church – first to embrace Christianity as a national faith – has witnessed across centuries of persecution and genocide, yet remains steadfast in hope.
“Its prayers arise from deep wells of suffering and resurrection, voiced too by a vast global diaspora that still sings the faith of Christians nurtured in the shadow of Mount Ararat. In the words of one of Armenia’s great sages, St Nersess the Graceful, ‘Light from Light, dwell within us.’ May this Armenian witness renew our longing for unity, peace, and shared discipleship across the Irish Churches and beyond.”
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is observed from January 18 to 25 and resources are available to download from the CTBI website at www.ctbi.org.uk/resources/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2026.
Christian Unity services take place throughout Dublin and Glendalough. Please check with your parish for details of your local service.