CISA
ADDIS ABABA, JANUARY 26, 2026 (CISA) – Christians from across Ethiopia’s rich and diverse ecclesial landscape came together on January 24, 2026, at the Bible Society of Ethiopia for the annual Christian Unity Prayer Service, a significant moment of shared worship, reflection, and commitment to reconciliation.
Held under the theme drawn from Ephesians 4:4: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called” the ecumenical gathering underscored the deep spiritual bonds that unite followers of Christ despite differences in tradition and expression.
The prayer service attracted a broad representation of the Christian community, including Church Fathers and Bishops from ancient apostolic traditions, priests and pastors from Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant denominations, as well as consecrated religious and lay faithful. The presence of international clergy and visitors further highlighted the universal dimension of the call to Christian unity.
Marked by an atmosphere of reverence and fraternity, the service emphasized baptism as the common foundation of Christian identity. Speakers and church leaders reminded participants that the pursuit of unity is not primarily a diplomatic or institutional exercise, but a spiritual journey rooted in the prayer of Christ himself: “that they all may be one” (John 17:21).
Throughout the liturgy, messages centered on reconciliation, peacebuilding, and shared responsibility in addressing the social and moral challenges facing Ethiopian society. Church leaders urged Christians to look beyond doctrinal and historical differences and to work together for the common good.
“Every Christian denomination is called to be a sower of peace,” one speaker noted, stressing that unity must be lived concretely through acts of justice, compassion, and harmony at both local and national levels.
The service also highlighted key pathways toward deeper unity, including personal conversion of heart, sincere and honest dialogue, and mutual respect for the diverse liturgical, theological, and spiritual traditions that enrich the Christian faith. Participants were reminded that healing historical wounds begins with humility and openness to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Beyond prayer, the gathering reaffirmed the churches’ shared mission in a world yearning for reconciliation. United Christian witness, speakers said, remains essential in serving the poor through coordinated humanitarian efforts, promoting peace in conflict-affected regions, and proclaiming the Gospel as a message of hope stronger than any sectarian divide.
The ecumenical service concluded with a collective prayer for Ethiopia, invoking the guidance of the Holy Spirit to strengthen the “one Body” of Christ and to renew the Church’s mission of love, service, and faithful witness in society.
