Seventh Extraordinary Prayer of all Churches to be held at the Coptic Orthodox Church in Jerusalem 19/10/2011
ON JANUARY 28. 2012, CHRISTIANS ARE INVITED TO JOIN AGAIN IN A GREAT INTERCESSORY PRAYER FOR OUR TIME HELD AT THE COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ST. ANTHONY, CLOSE TO THE HOLY SEPULCHRE IN JERUSALEM
In a spirit of communion, the seventh Extraordinary Prayer of all Churches for Reconciliation, Unity and Peace coincides, as in January 2011, with the Jerusalem Week of Prayer for Unity. It also coincides with the start of the 4th International Intercessory Prayer Day for Peace in the Holy Land, an initiative that gathers prayer groups in over two thousands cities all over the world and is patronized by the
In these times of change, more than ever, it is urgent and necessary to ask for Our Lord’s Mercy. May He, insistently requested to do so, touch our hearts and inspire in them the irresistible desire to convert and to renew our faith, to reconciliate, to unite, and to live in the interior Peace of Christ, both as single Christians and as Christian Churches.
The Coptic Orthodox Church, who has often and also recently given witness of her profound faith in Jesus Christ, up to martyrdom, will propose a simple and very intense celebration, reflecting her rich and profound tradition.
May the intense call of the Church to Our Lord and Father be heard! May He bless His sons and daughters, those who hear the Word, those who listen to the Spirit of Life.
Pray for and with the Jerusalem Church 04/02/2011
AT THE VIGIL OF PENTECOST, ON JUNE 11, 2011, THE JERUSALEM CHURCHES SHALL CALL UPON THE SPIRIT WITH ONE VOICE
On June 11, 2011, at 6 pm Holy Land time, the Latin Catholic Church will host the sixth Extraordinary Prayer of all Churches for Reconciliation, Unity and Peace, beginning in and proceeding from Jerusalem. The prayer will be presided over by H.B. Mgr. Fouad Twal, the Catholic Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, from the Latin Patriarchate Church in the Holy City.
The coincidence of the sixth edition of this great intercessory prayer for our time called upon by the Jerusalem Churches with the Vigil of Pentecost - which this year all Christians celebrate on the same date – makes her a particularly joyful and solemn event. The Jerusalem Churches with one voice will call all Christians in the world to join in a communion of prayer for the intentions of Reconciliation, Unity and Peace.
The spiritual background of this profound and intense prayer, which was inspired as an urgent necessity to a few monks and lay people during a night prayer vigil in 2005 at the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, is both the renewal of mankind in the Triune God, on individual and collective level, and reconciliation, unity and peace in the Church as an essential part of this renewal.
The initiative has been lifted and conducted by the Spirit since its very start; Indeed, there is no other possible explanation why it is developing, notwithstanding all difficulties that arise along the road, and considering the limited means available to spread it into the world.
The Latin Church shall propose a liturgy of the word held in Latin, Arabic and Hebrew, reflecting both her beautiful tradition and her local specificities, as the initiative proposes to do, so that Christians learn to know each other better. The heavenly Church will be called to join the earthly Church in her fervent prayer to the Lord with a litany of Saints.
The prayer will be broadcast live by Christian TV channels to the Middle East, Europe, and to the Americas, as well as in differed mode. It will be followed by a documentary on the Latin Church.
I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem;
they will never be silent day or night.
(Is 62: 6)
The coincidence of the sixth edition of this great intercessory prayer for our time called upon by the Jerusalem Churches with the Vigil of Pentecost - which this year all Christians celebrate on the same date – makes her a particularly joyful and solemn event. The Jerusalem Churches with one voice will call all Christians in the world to join in a communion of prayer for the intentions of Reconciliation, Unity and Peace.
The initiative has been lifted and conducted by the Spirit since its very start; Indeed, there is no other possible explanation why it is developing, notwithstanding all difficulties that arise along the road, and considering the limited means available to spread it into the world.
The Latin Church shall propose a liturgy of the word held in Latin, Arabic and Hebrew, reflecting both her beautiful tradition and her local specificities, as the initiative proposes to do, so that Christians learn to know each other better. The heavenly Church will be called to join the earthly Church in her fervent prayer to the Lord with a litany of Saints.
The prayer will be broadcast live by Christian TV channels to the Middle East, Europe, and to the Americas, as well as in differed mode. It will be followed by a documentary on the Latin Church.
I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem;
they will never be silent day or night.
(Is 62: 6)
The next Extraordinary Prayer of all Churches coincides with the Jerusalem Week of Prayer for Unity 10/12/2010
ON JANUARY 29th. 2011, at 5 P.M. HOLY LAND TIME, THE ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF JERUSALEM WILL HOST THE FIFTH EXTRAORDINARY PRAYER OF ALL CHURCHES
Archbishop Abba Matthias, the Head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, will preside over the next Extraordinary Prayer of all Churches for Reconciliation, Unity and Peace. This great intercessory prayer for our time, beginning in and proceeding from Jerusalem, coincides with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Jerusalem, which is being held one week later than in the rest of the world this year, in order to avoid interfering with the Christmas celebrations of the Armenian Orthodox Christians of Jerusalem.
The proposed prayers for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity are particularly significant this year. Composed by Jerusalem Christians themselves, they beautifully reflect the solidarity that made the early Jerusalem Church 'One in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer' (Acts 2 : 42 - 47).
The Extraordinary Prayer of all Churches for Reconciliation, Unity and Peace, is an invitation from the Jerusalem Mother Church to establish, among all the Churches, a continual communion in prayer throughout the year, every Saturday at 6 p.m. local time, so that through our profound and sincere petitions, and with the Lord's help, the Churches may again find the path to full communion. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches" (Revelation 2:7)! More Peace in the Church in fact will spiritually strengthen our time.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church, with her rich traditions inspired by ancient Judeo-Christian practices, with her strong devotion to the Virgin Mary and the Archangels Gabriel and Michael and with her deep sense of Mystery, will offer us a celebration of great beauty.
As at the preceding events, the prayer will be broadcast live by several Christian Channels in the Middle East and Europe, and by a differed mode in the Americas and elsewhere.
Week of prayer for Christian Unity :
http://www.oikoumene.org/programmes/unity-mission-evangelism-and-spirituality/spirituality-and-worship/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity.html
The proposed prayers for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity are particularly significant this year. Composed by Jerusalem Christians themselves, they beautifully reflect the solidarity that made the early Jerusalem Church 'One in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer' (Acts 2 : 42 - 47).
The Extraordinary Prayer of all Churches for Reconciliation, Unity and Peace, is an invitation from the Jerusalem Mother Church to establish, among all the Churches, a continual communion in prayer throughout the year, every Saturday at 6 p.m. local time, so that through our profound and sincere petitions, and with the Lord's help, the Churches may again find the path to full communion. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches" (Revelation 2:7)! More Peace in the Church in fact will spiritually strengthen our time.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church, with her rich traditions inspired by ancient Judeo-Christian practices, with her strong devotion to the Virgin Mary and the Archangels Gabriel and Michael and with her deep sense of Mystery, will offer us a celebration of great beauty.
As at the preceding events, the prayer will be broadcast live by several Christian Channels in the Middle East and Europe, and by a differed mode in the Americas and elsewhere.
Week of prayer for Christian Unity :
http://www.oikoumene.org/programmes/unity-mission-evangelism-and-spirituality/spirituality-and-worship/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity.html
The next Extraordinary Prayer should be coïncident with another great initiative: 26/10/2010
THIRD INTERNATIONAL DAY OF INTERCESSION FOR PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND ON 29TH AND 30TH JANUARY 2011
The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace patronizes this prayer initiative celebrated simultaneously in 2000 cities all over the world
“Prayer for peace is of major importance”
(Relatio post disceptationem of the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops)
On the 29th and 30th January 2011, during the month dedicated by the Church to Peace, we shall celebrate the Third International Day of Intercession for Peace in the Holy Land, an initiative of prayer born from the inspiration of some Youth Catholic Associations. In this third edition, two thousands cities all over the world shall be simultaneously participating, so that this prayer – as the organizers hope – “will reach the heart of the Lord who shall give peace to His land again”.
The Third International Day of Intercession for Peace in the Holy Land is patronized by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and is a way to commit for and to concretely live a day of profound prayer and intercession. For this third edition, in the follow-up of the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops held on the theme “Communion and Witness”, with the help of the Lord, the 24 uninterrupted hours of prayer of the International Intercessory Prayer Day for Peace will very significantly start in coincidence with the Fifth Extraordinary Prayer of all Churches for Reconciliation, Unity and Peace, beginning in and proceeding from Jerusalem, and with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Jerusalem, on Saturday 29th January 2011, at 5-6 p.m. (Holy Land time). The Extraordinary Prayer of all Churches will be broadcast worldwide.
Last year, the International Day of Intercession for Peace was celebrated in 1103 cities of the world. Joining the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Custos of the Holy Land in a communion of prayer, His Holiness Benedict XVI so described the Intercessory Prayer Day: “Today we are also celebrating the second Day of Intercession for Peace in the Holy Land. In communion with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Custos of the Holy Land, I join in spirit in the prayers of the many Christians throughout the world, as I warmly greet those who are gathered here for this occasion.” (Angelus 31st January 2010). On 30th January 2011, we shall raise again our prayer from the heart of the world with Adorations and Eucharistic Celebrations.
In His homily at the Solemn Inauguration of the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops, His Holiness Benedict XVI affirmed that: “Looking at that part of the world [Middle East] from God’s perspective means recognizing in it the “cradle” of a universal design of salvation in love, a mystery of communion which becomes true in freedom and thus asks man for a response”, the Holy Father affirmed also that “Christians will continue to contribute […] above all with the spirit of the Evangelical Beatitudes, which enliven the practice of forgiveness and reconciliation”. While greeting the pilgrims during the Angelus in St. Peter Square, the Holy Father further said: “In fact, in those countries, unfortunately marked by deep divisions and torn by age-old conflicts, the Church is called to be a sign and instrument of unity and reconciliation, modelled on the first community of Jerusalem”.
The Third International Day of Intercession for Peace in the Holy Land is promoted by various Youth Associations: the National Papaboys Association, the Apostolate “Youth For Life” Association, the “Perpetual Adoration Chapels” Association in Italy and in the world, the groups of “Adunanza Eucaristica” and – from this third edition –the Association for the Promotion of the Extraordinary Prayer of all Churches for Reconciliation, Unity and Peace, beginning in and proceeding from Jerusalem. Last year, after the International Intercessory Prayer Day, a pilgrimage was organized in the Holy Land in June for the participants to the event.
To join the 2011 event, personally or as a community, group or association, please visit the Facebook Group “We want Peace in the Holy Land 2”, or send an e-mail to ufficiostampa@papaboys.it (communicating the place and time of the event you intend to organize). On January 25th 2011, you shall find an official list of the locations around the world where you can join a prayer service for Peace on internet and in the press.
On the websites of the National Papaboys Association (www.papaboys.it), of the Apostolate “Youth For Life” Association (www.youthfl.org) and on the website of “Adunanza Eucaristica” (www.adorazione.org) you shall find information regarding the International Intercessory Prayer Day, with updates, interviews, photos and videos. On the website www.prayrup.info you shall find information concerning the live TV transmission of the fifth Extraordinary Prayer of all the Churches for Reconciliation, Unity and Peace, beginning in and proceeding from Jerusalem.
National Papaboys Association
www.papaboys.it
Apostolate “Youth For Life”
www.youthfl.org
Adunanza Eucaristica
www.adorazione.og
Association for the Promotion of the Extraordinary Prayer of all Churches for Reconciliation, Unity and Peace, beginning in and proceeding from Jerusalem
www.prayrup.info
Churches in Jerusalem in a communion of prayer 25/08/2010
THE ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC ORTHODOX CHURCH OF JERUSALEM SHALL HOST THE FOURTH EXTRAORDINARY PRAYER OF ALL CHURCHES FOR RECONCILIATION, UNITY AND PEACE, BEGINNING IN AND PROCEEDING FROM JERUSALEM
On Saturday, September 25, 2010, 3 pm Holy Land time, after the first three editions held respectively by the Syrian Orthodox, the Lutheran and by the Greek Melkite Catholic Churches and communities, the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Jerusalem shall host, in her Cathedral of St. James, the fourth extraordinary prayer of all Churches for Reconciliation, Unity and Peace, beginning in and proceeding from Jerusalem – calling all Christians in the world to join in a great intercessory prayer to God the Father for our time.
This prayer, originating from Jerusalem, was inspired five years ago during a vigil of prayer at the Holy Sepulchre – the very place where Christ died and rose again. It is a solemn call to all Christians in the world of the Mother Church, acting in her rich diversity and in communion, to join in a deep, insistent, faithful and joyful intercessory prayer, every Saturday at 6 pm local time. It is based on the conviction that our time generally needs such a solemn intercessory prayer by the Church, as she once practiced in times of great difficulty upon the call of her spiritual leaders; that the communion among the Churches in this prayer is a presupposition for it to be heard by the Lord; and that such communion will very much increase its spiritual strength. Wilfully praying together for these intentions in such a significant place for Christianity, where the lack of communion among Christian brothers appears more evidently - is in itself a first, but fundamental act of conversion as far as the lack of Peace in the Church is concerned. A very modest one indeed, and at the same time, immense. Christians today are rarely aware that the division of the Church profoundly conditions the general absence of Peace. They rarely remember, also, that the absence of Peace, in the Church, and outside of it, is above all the consequence of an absence of Christ's Peace in human hearts.
This prayer is to remind the Church that she is, despite the great imperfections of the human hearts that belong to her, the "salt of the earth and the light of the world". The greatness of her mission cannot be understood, if not in the silence of Loving und humble hearts. The Jerusalem Church stands up and calls, and her call shall be heard.
As for the preceding editions, the prayer shall be broadcast by different Christian TV channels the same day at 6 pm Holy Land time, and on other dates, and will be followed by a documentary on the hosting Church.
This prayer, originating from Jerusalem, was inspired five years ago during a vigil of prayer at the Holy Sepulchre – the very place where Christ died and rose again. It is a solemn call to all Christians in the world of the Mother Church, acting in her rich diversity and in communion, to join in a deep, insistent, faithful and joyful intercessory prayer, every Saturday at 6 pm local time. It is based on the conviction that our time generally needs such a solemn intercessory prayer by the Church, as she once practiced in times of great difficulty upon the call of her spiritual leaders; that the communion among the Churches in this prayer is a presupposition for it to be heard by the Lord; and that such communion will very much increase its spiritual strength. Wilfully praying together for these intentions in such a significant place for Christianity, where the lack of communion among Christian brothers appears more evidently - is in itself a first, but fundamental act of conversion as far as the lack of Peace in the Church is concerned. A very modest one indeed, and at the same time, immense. Christians today are rarely aware that the division of the Church profoundly conditions the general absence of Peace. They rarely remember, also, that the absence of Peace, in the Church, and outside of it, is above all the consequence of an absence of Christ's Peace in human hearts.
This prayer is to remind the Church that she is, despite the great imperfections of the human hearts that belong to her, the "salt of the earth and the light of the world". The greatness of her mission cannot be understood, if not in the silence of Loving und humble hearts. The Jerusalem Church stands up and calls, and her call shall be heard.
As for the preceding editions, the prayer shall be broadcast by different Christian TV channels the same day at 6 pm Holy Land time, and on other dates, and will be followed by a documentary on the hosting Church.