Ecumenical Prayer for Peace in the Middle East Held in London
An ecumenical service of Evening Prayer for peace in the Middle East was held on Thursday, 30 April, at Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church, bringing together Christians from different traditions in a united call for peace, justice, and reconciliation.
The ecumenical service at Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church, and organised under the auspices of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, gathered clergy and faithful from across denominations to pray for those affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf region.
The evening was led by Bishop James Curry, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and Lead Bishop for the Holy Land, alongside other church leaders. Among those present was Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary of Churches Together in England. A moving message was also delivered by Baroness Caroline Cox. In a time marked by war and instability, the service offered a space for reflection, scripture readings, and music, highlighting the Christian call to be peacemakers.
The keynote address titled “What Next? What About Us?” was delivered by Dr Harry Hagopian, an Armenian Christian and international lawyer with longstanding involvement in Middle Eastern affairs. He reflected on the urgent need for dialogue, justice, and sustained international engagement in pursuit of peace. He also stressed the duty to speak truth to power candidly, even when doing so involves at times significant personal risk.
The gathering concluded with remarks and prayer offered by Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland and President for the Orthodox Churches in Churches Together in England. In his address, he emphasised that memory and faith must shape the present, reminding the congregation that “justice cannot be silenced, truth cannot be erased, and memory cannot be suppressed,” while calling Christians to become active peacemakers grounded in the peace of the Risen Christ. At the conclusion of the service, three bishops imparted their blessing upon the faithful.
Held during the Easter season, the service drew on the theme of the Resurrection as a source of hope amid suffering. Participants prayed not only for an end to violence but also for the wisdom of leaders and the healing of communities torn apart by conflict.
The initiative reflects a broader call by church leaders in England and Wales to “redouble prayers and advocacy for peace and justice,” emphasising the role of faith communities as bridge-builders in times of global crisis.