Together with representatives of the different Christian Churches, we gathered in a moment of intense spirituality to invoke peace, light and courage. A shared wish: that all men and women of goodwill may become true builders of bridges between peoples.
It was a simple but deeply meaningful meeting. In an atmosphere of fraternity and recollection, the Churches, Movements and Communities present raised their common prayer for Europe and for peace in the world.
During the service, a symbolic disc was hung for each country named in the prayer: a concrete gesture to represent the spiritual commitment to that nation. A small ritual, full of hope and solidarity, which took shape as the list of countries unfolded.
The evening began with a song from the Russian Orthodox Church and ended with a children’s choir from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
A moment that left its mark in the hearts of all participants: it reminded us that shared prayer can become the first step towards a more just and peaceful world.
On Europe Day, 9 May at 9.30 p.m., an ecumenical moment of prayer for peace took place in Porto/Portogal, in the Cedofeita church.
Around 60 people were present, among them the Catholic auxiliary Bishop D. Roberto Mariz, Bishop D. Jorge Pina Cabral of the Lusitanian Church and Bishop Sifredo Teixeira of the Methodist Church. Jorge Pina Cabral and Bishop Sifredo Teixeira of the Methodist Church.
Poet Sophia de Mello Breyner’s verses ‘Give us Lord the peace we ask for, peace without victor and without vanquished’ marked the start of the celebration.
In a profound moment of interiority, stillness and silence, the word Peace was pronounced in different languages and with the sensitivity of the various confessions, stating: ‘God is love, the whole world needs peace. The world thirsts for Peace!’
We recited the ‘Our Father’ holding hands, followed by the blessing given together by the representatives of the various churches. We left off by drawing a card at random with a key word to build peace and singing the Gen Rosso song ‘Sow Peace’.
The moderator, Rev. Sérgio of the Lusitanian Church, concluded: ‘Today we have rekindled the flame’.
Now it is up to us to find ways and creativity to keep it going, perhaps without waiting a year…
Lurdes Teixeira on behalf of the TfE team in Porto
Photo L. Teixeira during the celebration; invitation flyer.
