Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești represented Patriarch Daniel of Romania at the fourth evening of prayer for Christian unity this year, which took place Tuesday evening at the Armenian Archdiocesan Cathedral “Archangels Michael and Gabriel” in Bucharest.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, held worldwide from January 18-25, is focused this year on the theme “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26).â
Bishop Varlaam encouraged prayer to Jesus Christ for Christian unity during the gathering.
“With strong faith, let us ask Jesus Christ, who died for His bride, the Church, to make her holy and blameless and to grant us the light to rediscover Christian unity,” he said.
“The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, which we commemorate this year on its 1,700th anniversary, can serve as a divine instrument in our efforts to rediscover the unity we have lost,” His Grace emphasized.
Do You Believe This?
The Auxiliary Patriarchal Bishop reflected on this year’s Prayer Week theme, “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26), drawn from the Gospel account of the Raising of Lazarus. This question, addressed by Jesus to Lazarus’ sister Martha, carries profound significance.
“Martha told the Teacher, ‘If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.’ Despite her despair, convinced that her brother was lost forever, she clung to a glimmer of faith: ‘I know that God will give you whatever you ask.’ Jesus encouraged her, saying, ‘Your brother will rise again.’”
“Martha, a devout woman well-versed in the teachings of the Old Law, testified to the truth of the resurrection of the dead, replying, ‘I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ At this, Jesus made a fundamental declaration: ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die.’”
“Then He asked her the pivotal question: ‘Do you believe this?’ Together, they went to the tomb, where Jesus, the Creator of all things, called Lazarus forth from death, saying, ‘Lazarus, come out!’”
The Model of Unity
Bishop Varlaam pointed to Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane as a model for unity.
“After the raising of Lazarus, Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, with sweat like drops of blood, that His disciples and all who believe in Him might remain united, just as the Father and the Son are one: ‘May they all be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.’”
“Christ prayed for the unity of Christians with sweat-like drops of blood. Yet, throughout history, Christians have often forgotten this and have divided themselves further, continuing to do so even today.”
He noted the proliferation of Christian denominations that proclaim Christ yet refuse to testify to their faith together. “This shared testimony would have irresistible power in today’s world,” he said.
Prayer and Faith
Bishop Varlaam urged believers to emulate Martha’s faith:
“If we have strong faith, like Martha, who witnessed her brother’s resurrection through her faith and God’s plan, then we too can trust that Christ, the Bridegroom of the Church, will find a miraculous solution to our divisions. He will enlighten our minds, warm our hearts, and one day we will rediscover the unity we have lost.”
“This unity is essential in a world marked by constant division, a process evident at every level of society,” he added.
Gratitude and Participation
Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești expressed gratitude to Bishop Datev Hagopian of the Armenian Church in Romania for hosting the fourth evening of prayer for Christian unity.
Representatives of various Christian Churches and denominations from the capital attended the religious event.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu
Source: basilica.ro
