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The ecumenical prayer service on 22 January was organized by the Fellowship of Christian Churches in Geneva (Rassemblement des Eglises et Communautés Chrétiennes de Genève), currently including 28 churches and communities.
The guiding biblical text for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 comes from the Gospel of John, “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26), taking its cue from the dialogue between Jesus and Martha when Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary in Bethany following the death of their brother Lazarus.
In his homily, Fr Alexandre from the French-speaking parish of the Orthodox Centre in Chambésy explored the profound spiritual significance of resurrection, centered on the biblical story of Lazarus.
“The resurrection of Lazarus is very meaningful – and it is mysteriously linked to the resurrection of Christ himself; he plays, in relation to it, the role of prophecy in act,” said Fr Alexandre. “We could say that on the threshold of the Easter, the risen Lazarus is presented to us as the precursor of Jesus Christ, the conqueror of death.”
Drawing from Orthodox Christian theology, the message emphasized that Christ's resurrection is not merely a historical event, but a living testament to God's transformative love for humanity.
Christ’s question to Martha—“Do you believe this?”—is addressed to each of us, said Fr Alexandre. “Do we believe that Jesus Christ is the Resurrection and the Life as He teaches us: "I am the Resurrection and the Life: he who believes in me, even if he dies, will live; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”
Quoting church fathers like St John Chrysostom, the priest stressed the importance of receiving spiritual teachings with reverence, and trusting in God's plan even when it diverges from our personal expectations.
“Let's dare to let God act in our lives, trusting that God loves us and that everything God gives us is better than we ourselves wanted,” encouraged Fr Alexandre, in order for us to be able to say with St John Chrysostom: “Out of every evil there can come great good for all who love the Lord.”
The traditional period for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in the northern hemisphere is 18-25 January. In the southern hemisphere churches often find other days to celebrate the Week of Prayer, for example around Pentecost, which is also a symbolic date for the unity of the church.
Photo gallery from the Ecumenical prayer service at Chambesy
Learn more about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
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Fr Alexandre, priest of the French-speaking parish of the Orthodox Centre in Chambésy, delivered a homily at the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service.
Ivars Kupcis/WCC
