The Church Unity Octave, a forerunner of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, was developed by Father Paul Wattson, SA, at Graymoor in Garrison, New York, and was first observed at Graymoor from January 18-25, 1908. Today, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity invites the whole Christian community throughout the world to pray in communion with the prayer of Jesus “that they all may be one” (John 17:21).

In 1966, the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches and the Vatican Secretariat (now Council) for Promoting Christian Unity began collaborating as a common international text for worldwide usage. Since 1968 these international texts, which are based on themes proposed by ecumenical groups around the world, have been developed, adapted and published for use in the United States by the Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2010

Chosen Theme: You Are Witnesses of These Things.

(Luke 24:48)

The theme for the annual celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2010 has been announced. by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches. The theme for the 2010 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is You Are Witnesses of These Things. It comes from Luke's gospel Chapter 24 verse 48. This is also the theme which Scottish Christians have chosen to celebrate the centenary of the Edinburgh Mission Conference.

To read all of Luke 24, click here.

2010 Order Form