Church Leaders from Around the World Gather in Assisi to Launch a Joint Feast of Creation
An Ecumenical Event with the Organization and Participation of MECC and Ecumenical International Organizations
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
Under the title “Creation Day & The Nicaea Centenary: Crystallizing the Ecumenical Dream of the New Liturgical Feast”, and with the aim of developing a common Liturgical Feast to celebrate the creation together, an Ecumenical conference was held from May 5 to 7, 2025, in Assisi, Italy.
The conference was held in partnership with the World Council of Churches, the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Communion of Reformed Churches, the World Methodist Council, the Laudato Si' Research Institute, and the Middle East Council of Churches, represented by the Director of the Theological and Ecumenical Department and Member of the International Steering Committee of the “Season of Creation” Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar.
The event was attended by a representative of the Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarchate and representatives of Church Leaders from various Church Families and Eastern and Western Church traditions.
The gathering included daily prayers, speeches, and various sessions focused on the Theological foundations and history of the “Feast of Creation”, in addition to Biblical Readings and Liturgical prayers. It is worth noting that the Day of Creation is traditionally celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox tradition on September 1 of each year. The Middle East Council of Churches also participated in several activities, adding value to the conference.
On the first day, the opening remarks were delivered by Rev. Prof. Jerry Pillay, WCC Secretary General and by Father Dr. Antoine Al Ahmar, on behalf of MECC. Fr. Al Ahmar highlighted the mission of the Middle East Council of Churches, noting that “walking together towards the visible unity of the One Church we believe in, as we all confess in the Nicene Creed, Christians are called to engage together in martyria, the testimony of faith, and in diakonia, the service of charity.”
He added “The third aspect of the life and mission of the Church, emphasized particularly in the Eastern traditions, is the leitourgia. Liturgy is the locus where the mysteries of our salvation are not only proclaimed as events of the past, but celebrated as a reality in the present, and certitude of hope for the future.
Creation is the first of these mysteries. Started in the beginning, renewed in the fullness of times by the Incarnation and Resurrection of our Redeemer Jesus-Christ, this permanent divine act will continue until its accomplishment at the end of times, when earth and heaven become a « new earth and a new heaven » (Ap 21:1).”
On the second day, the morning prayer service was dedicated to the Eastern Churches and was organized and moderated by Father Al Ahmar. It reflected the rich diversity of Eastern Ecclesiastical traditions. During the conference, Al Ahmar delivered a lecture on “Creation Day: Its Ancient History, Contemporary Adoption, and Future Potential – Continental Perspective”, providing an overview about the environmental reality and environmental initiatives in the Middle East.
Father Garen Yosolkanian, the Coordinator of the “Season of Creation” program at the Middle East Council of Churches, delivered a presentation about the most prominent liturgical feasts between East and West, shedding light on the various traditions in the Eastern Churches.
In this context, the conference contributed in building bridges between the various Churches and bringing together many perspectives about various environmental Theological issues in order to work together to preserve creation.
