WCC News: WCC Podcast explores Feast of Creation ahead of Creation Day Conference

The Feast of Creation initiative represents a profound ecumenical opportunity as Christian churches worldwide consider elevating 1 September from a World Day of Prayer for Creation to a liturgical feast across denominations. A key milestone in this journey will be the upcoming Nicaea Centenary and Creation Day Conference in Assisi in May, where church actors will discuss pathways in this important process. A new WCC podcast explores the vision of the Feast of Creation initiative, highlighting its significance as a potential gesture of Christian unity and ecological commitment.  Photo: Season of Creation official website 09 April 2025 The podcast features Dr Louk Andrianos, WCC consultant for Care for Creation, Sustainability, and Climate Justice, and Rev. Rachel Mash, coordinator for the Anglican Communion Environmental Network and co-coordinator for the Season of Creation Ecumenical Steering Group. From Season of Creation to Feast of Creation The Season of Creation, celebrated from 1 September to 4 October (St Francis Day), has gained widespread acceptance among churches globally. However, as Andrianos explains in the podcast, "The Season of Creation is a season that brings all Christians united in prayer and action to care more for the creation of God. Now, the Feast of Creation is a new project aiming to elevate the Feast of Creation from its current World Day of Prayer status to a liturgical feast." This initiative follows the leadership of the Eastern Orthodox Church, for whom 1 September already marks the beginning of their liturgical year. Western churches are now considering formalizing this date as a liturgical feast in their calendars. "If we want to mobilize the Church of God, and there are 2.4 billion Christians on this planet, it has to be a feast which is recognized by everybody, not just the environmentally friendly or those who care about creation," Mash emphasizes in the podcast. Historic ecumenical cooperation The Feast of Creation project has already achieved remarkable ecumenical collaboration. Major Christian communions, including the Anglican Communion, Lutheran World Federation, World Communion of Reformed Churches, and the World Methodist Council are jointly discussing this initiative. Andrianos celebrates this unity: "We can see how good it is when all Christianity is united for a good cause. Every church and every denomination loves creation, and they all worship God as creator." Nicaea centenary connection The timing of this initiative holds special significance, as 2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. Mash draws attention to this connection: "We all share the Nicene Creed, and the opening words of the Nicene Creed are, of course, 'We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.’ " She points out that while other aspects of the creed have corresponding feast days (Christmas, Pentecost), the opening profession of faith in God as Creator lacks a formal liturgical celebration. The Feast of Creation would fill this gap. Major ecumenical conference in Assisi A step in this journey will be the "Nicaea Centenary and Creation Day" conference scheduled for 5-7 May in Assisi, Italy. This hybrid event (in-person and online) will bring together church representatives and theologians from various traditions to discuss the theological foundations and practical implementation of the Feast of Creation. WCC member churches are warmly encouraged to participate either in person or online.  Learn more about the "Nicaea Centenary & Creation Day" conference here Listen to the full WCC podcast on the Feast of Creation below to learn more about this ecumenical initiative See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland