Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Haifa

"Do We Believe This?"

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an initiative of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, which is intended to emphasize the shared values that exist among all Christians and to encourage cooperation between the various churches. In Haifa, the event was held with the participation of priests and representatives of all the Christian denominations active in the city.

The verse that will accompany the prayer for this week comes from the Gospel according to St. John: “Do you believe and despise?” which tells of Jesus Messiah’s arrival at the home of Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazarus of Bethany, after he died (John 11:17-27). The choice of verse came against the backdrop of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, which established the principles of the Church and the Christian faith (325 CE).

The sources of inspiration that accompany this special week offer us believers the ability to contemplate the word of God that asks us: Do we believe them? Do we believe that Christ is the resurrection and the life? And to see how this meets us, as we act in unity and cooperation between the different communities and churches.

The ceremony, which took place in the historic Beit HaChesed Church, included songs and prayers in three languages (Arabic, English, Hebrew). Father Youssef Yacoub, the priest in charge of the Maronite Church in Haifa, preached on the importance of Christian unity, both locally and globally. He pointed out the challenges facing Christian society today, and the importance of cooperation between the churches to face them.

The ceremony of prayer for Christian unity in Haifa was a significant event that emphasized the importance of unity.

“For even in a world of disagreement, it is possible to find common ground and work together for a common goal, which is Messiah who works among us.”