WCC NEWS: With anniversary just around the corner – churches from across the globe to gather in Stockholm

One hundred years after the historical Stockholm conference of 1925, representatives of churches from around the globe will gather again in Stockholm, as the Christian Council of Sweden hosts a week of ecumenical anniversary celebrations on 18-24 August. Thousands of participants, including global and national church leaders, presenters, and decision-makers are expected to join the events, spanning from 70+ seminars to prayer services and an array of cultural activities, all under the theme “Time for God’s Peace.” Church leaders and international guests from all over the world will gather in Stockholm as the member churches of the Christian Council of Sweden invite a week of ecumenical anniversary celebrations on 18-24 August. Photo: Collage by the Christian Council of Sweden 14 August 2025 Even after 100 years, questions around peacebuilding are no less relevant today. In 1925, more than 600 church leaders from 37 countries gathered in the aftermath of the First World War. Through the Ecumenical Week in Stockholm 2025, the heritage of that conference will be carried forth, the anniversary serving as a reminder of the churches’ mission as a unifying force in a turbulent and divided world crying out for peace and reconciliation.  “Never has the voice of a united Christianity been needed more than today. Peacemaking is integrally and inseparably associated to the coexistence of all people and the survival of our planet. It is reflected in the way we treat one another and the way we treat the natural environment,” said His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who is one of the many church leaders participating in the celebrations. Rich programme across Stockholm During the week, more than 70 seminars and panel discussions will be held in local churches and other places around the Swedish capital of Stockholm. On 23 August, a public festival for peace takes place in central Stockholm at 11:00-16:00 CEST, where World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay will enter the stage at around 1:30 pm to say a few words about the WCC and its central role in the ecumenical movement.  A range of activities for people of all ages will be offered, in addition to exhibits by organisations working for peace and justice. And of course, time for fellowship and community building over coffee, tea, and biscuits will be offered by the local churches. Additionally, evening prayers, theatrical performances, and a festival bringing together more than 1,000 young people will take place in the city. Swedish royal family and prime minister expected The week will culminate in a celebratory Church Sweden in Stockholm Cathedral on 23 August, with the Swedish king and queen as well as the Swedish prime minister expected to be in attendance. The service will be recorded by Swedish Public Service television for broadcast the next day. Global church leaders to visit Stockholm Among confirmed international guests expected are: His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch. His Excellency Archbishop Flavio Pace, secretary at the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, Vatican. His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. Most Rev. Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York. Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee. Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary. Rev. Dr Susan Durber, WCC president from Europe. Rev. Frank Dieter Fischbach General Secretary, Christian Conference of Europe. Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, general secretary, Lutheran World Federation. Prof. Dr Azza Karam, CEO, Lead Integrity and former secretary general of Religions for Peace. A century later – the legacy of 1925 lives on The Stockholm Conference of 1925 served as a foundational element to the modern global ecumenical movement. Its initiator, Archbishop Nathan Söderblom, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. The anniversary week in Stockholm 2025 is an opportunity to honour this legacy – and to take new steps together, for peace, and for togetherness.  Full programme for the Ecumenical Week   Media accreditation for ecumenical week in Stockholm open for international media Livestream, Ecumenical Celebration – 22 August 2025, 13.00 CET Livestream, Called to transformation – a conversation on Ecumenical Diaconia (22 August 2025, 9.30-11.00 CET) 100 years later, ecumenists will gather in Stockholm again Ecumenical year in Sweden makes “Time for God’s peace” More livestream links to follow as they become available.  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 356 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