Between January 18 and 25
Eight-Day-Prayer for Christian Unity
Beginning with St. Peter's Mission and Ending with St. Paul's Conversion
The "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" 2022 was launched and the eight-day-prayer began around the world. This historic annual ritual between January 18 and 25 in the global Christian calendar is an initiative to quench believers who thirst for unity, a unity our Lord Jesus Christ prayed for and entrusted us with as he said: “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” (John 17:21)
It is true that the week of prayer carries with it profound Christian and theological meanings through which Christians move on their annual ecumenical journey. Setting a date for the week itself has a special significance, turning it into a Christian tradition that started in 1908. January 18 reminds us of the Chair of St. Peter the Apostle with which come united prayers to build bridges and strengthen fraternity among all Christians. January 25, however, refers to the feast of the conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, the end of the week of unity, thus a call to continue praying for unity throughout the year.
Chair of St. Peter the Apostle
“You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18). With these words, the Lord Jesus addressed Peter, entrusting him with the message of the good news, to be the head of the apostles and the sign for their unity. Despite all his mistakes, Christ entrusted him with a noble mission, translated into serving the unity of the Church and the consolidation of fraternity in faith.
Peter, "the Chief of the apostles", was a simple fisherman. He denied Christ three times, but he regretted it and repented. After the apostles dispersed to preach throughout the world, Peter remained in Jerusalem and Judea to continue his preaching, despite what he faced of fatigue and torment there.
In the year 35 or 36, Peter moved to Antioch where he established his chair and continued his evangelization as the head of the Church until the year 42. In the year 43, he went to Rome and moved with him his See, inspired by God. He entrusted St. Odeus to be his successor over the Church of Antioch.
Peter was imprisoned twice defending the word of Truth. After the angel of the Lord saved him the first time, Nero sentenced him the second time to be crucified. He asked to crucify his head down. He was martyred in 67 AD in Rome and his body was placed in the Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican City.
Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle
The feast of the conversion of St. Paul the Apostle is celebrated as a sign of Christians recognition of the greatness of divine grace transmitted and overflowed where sin abounds. Paul was a Jew and Pharisee of the tribe of Benjamin, who persecuted the Church of God and fought the name of Jesus Chris. He witnessed the stoning of Stephen and guarded the clothes of the men stoning him.
His greatness was known through the story of his amazing conversion on the Damascus Road, where he had a vision that led to the loss of his eyesight. A great light shone upon him from heaven, and Jesus Christ appeared and spoke to him, helping him realize that Christ had risen from the dead, contrary to his beliefs.
From that time on, Paul believed in Christ and regained his sight after being baptized by Ananias, to become herald of the word of Truth and godfather for the consolidation of the Christian faith around the world.
The New Testament included an important part of his missionary tours and many of his letters. He called himself an apostle and was distinguished by his sermons, even though he was not among the twelve disciples.
The apostles Peter and Paul are an example of the path of complete unity Christians seek today. Their prayers, during the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity”, bridges the distance among them. Hence, it is necessary to recall what the St. Paul the apostle recommended: “I urge you to walk with humility, meekness, and longsuffering, enduring one another in love, striving to preserve the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
The lesson shall remain in the application and embodiment of unity in our daily life, otherwise efforts for the unity our Christ asked for are not enough!
Communication and Public Relations Department