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The annual "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" takes place on 18-25 January – the Octave of St Peter and St Paul.

The occasion reminds Christians of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples, that “they may be one so that the world may believe” (John 17:21). The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has a history of over 100 years, in which Christians around the world have taken part in an octave of prayer for visible Christian unity. Christians are encouraged to come together during the week to pray for unity, with congregations and parishes all over the world exchanging preachers or arranging special ecumenical celebrations and prayer services.

Supporting materials have been prepared by the ecumenical community at Bose in Northern Italy this year. As we celebrate 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea, the scripture readings for this year focus on belief. We are invited to reflect on the story of Martha’s confession of faith in Jesus as narrated in John 11:17-27. Each of us is called to sit with Jesus’ provocative question to Martha: “Do you believe this?”

You can access useful resources for the week here, with a supporting booklet from the World Council of Churches here.

‍Join Brighton's "Monks in the City" at St John the Baptist Catholic Church, Kemptown, on Sunday 19 January for Vespers with hymns, psalms, readings and prayers at 4pm. Bishop Lindsay Urwin will preach, with light refreshments in the Fitzherbert Community Hub afterwards.