Future of peace: Christian unity in the focus of the Nicäa anniversary

Future of peace: Christian unity in the focus of the Nicäa anniversary

Iznik, Türkei - The former milking patriarch Gregoire III. Laham has emphasized that the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the decisive challenge in the Middle East. During an interview on March 21, 2025 in Iznik, Türkiye, he warned that the future of Palestine was closely linked to the peace stability and fate of Christians in the region. "With the future of Palestine, the future of peace and Christians in Middle East stands and falls," Laham told the Catholic News Agency. He appealed to the international community to actively implement the division of the Holy Land in Israel and Palestine since 1947 in order to avoid an escalating tension between the Arabic and Muslim world and the West.

In addition, he announced the importance of the upcoming 1,700th anniversary of Nicea's first ecumenical council, which also took place in Iznik. Laham emphasized the need to focus on unity instead of separating in order to achieve practical progress in ecumenism - i.e. in an endeavor to Christian unity. The 92-year-old clergyman made it clear that increased cooperation among Christians in areas such as education and research was of central importance to strengthen the community.

a sign of unit

In an interview, Cardinal Kurt Koch, the Pope's ecumenical representative, also reported on the opportunities of ecumenism in the context of the upcoming prayer week for the unity of Christians, which from 18 to 25 January 2025 under the motto "Do you think that?" takes place. This is an excellent opportunity to strengthen the common belief of all Christians. Koch pointed out the historical importance of the Nicäa conzil, which had defined the faith of Christians in Jesus Christ and is still an important basis for unity today. At the same time, he noted that the papal office is both a support for the unit and a challenge in the ecumenical dialogue.

The anniversary offers a unique opportunity to deepen the existing relationships between the different Christian communities. "The council belongs to all churches and is a common legacy that connects us together," emphasized Koch. The week of prayer is intended to set a sign of connection between the believers worldwide and strengthen the belief in Christ, which is particularly important in a time of divisions and challenges, as the development of ecumenical documents shows.