The Day of Judaism in the Dominican Church in Szczecin, scheduled for Friday, January 17, will inaugurate the Week of Prayer for the Unity of Christians. It is simply a cycle of ecumenical services to be held in various city temples, promoting interfaith dialog and a common prayer of faithful Christian traditions.
The Day of Judaism: The Combine of Religions and Cultures
The Day of Judaism, celebrated in Poland since 1997, was established by the Polish Episcopal Conference on the initiative of Pope John Paul II. This event is an expression of deepening the relation between Christianity and Judaism. In Szczecin, Dominicans invitation to a solemn service at St. Dominic's Church in Katyn Victims Square at 7 p.m.
The event will be attended by representatives of various Christian denominations, members of the judaic community and the Social and Cultural Society of Jews. The Sermon will be delivered by Father Paweł Stefanowski, parish priest of the Orthodox parish of St Nicholas in Szczecin, and the prayer will be presided over by Fr. An exceptional component of the event will be the artistic setting prepared by the actors of the Polish Theatre, who will execute songs and read fragments of Martin Buber's "The Tales of Hasidics". For those curious there is an online broadcast.
The Ecumenical Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
After the Day of Judaism there will be a Week of Prayer for the Unity of Christians, the subject of which this year is the words of the Gospel of John: “Do you believe it?”. They mention to the communicative of the resurrection of Lazarus (Jn 11:25-26): “He said to her (Marty) Jesus: I am the resurrection and life. He who believes in me, even though he dies, will live. Anyone who lives and believes in me will not die forever. Do you believe that?’
The agenda of events shall include:
- Sunday, January 19th, 6:00 p.m. – Orthodox church of St. Nicholas, ul. Zygmunt Stary 1.
- Monday, January 20th, 6:00 p.m. – Polish Catholic Church, St. Peter and Paul 4/5.
- Tuesday, January 21st, 6:00 p.m. – Evangelical-Augsburg Church of the Holy Trinity, ul. Energetyki 8.
- Thursday, January 23rd, 6:00 p.m. – The monastery of the Carmelite Sisters of Mercy Love, 26 B.
- Saturday, January 25th, 19 p.m. – Solemn ending in the archaeology of St. James the Apostle.
During all service, the faithful will pray not only for the unity of Christians, but besides for planet peace, especially in Ukraine and the Holy Land.
Importance of the event
The Ecumenical Week of Prayer for the Unity of Christians is an initiative initiated in the Roman Catholic Church in the first decade of the 20th century. It begins on 18 January, on the feast of St Peter's Cathedral, and ends on 25 January, on the day of the conversion of St Paul the Apostle. In Szczecin, this event has a peculiar dimension, combining faithful Christian traditions and representatives of Judaism.
As Fr Tomasz Dwost emphasizes, “The Catholic Church must constantly admit and deepen its relation with Judaism.” He besides adds that these celebrations in Szczecin have been ecumenical for many years, supporting interreligious dialog and common understanding.
Summary
The Day of Judaism and the Week of Prayer for the Unity of Christians is an extraordinary chance to deepen dialog between religions and the shared experience of faith. Participation in these events is an chance for spiritual endurance and an expression of interfaith solidarity. Szczecin services are open to anyone who wants to participate in this unique initiative.
Continued here:
Dominicans from Szczecin prepare to celebrate the Day of Judaism
