WCC NEWS: Pilgrimage encounter strengthens unity at Anaphora Retreat Center

Participants in the World Council of Churches (WCC) 6th World Conference on Faith and Order, together with students and young theologians from the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI), were warmly welcomed by the Coptic Orthodox Church for a special evening on 26 October at the Anaphora Retreat Center in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt. On Sunday, participants in the WCC Faith and Order Sixth World Conference visit the Anafora Centre of the Coptic Orthodox Church for a so-called Pilgrimage Encounter at the halfway point of the world conference. The World Council of Churches Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order takes place 24-28 October 2025 in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt, around the theme “Where now for visible unity?” Among those pictured, Arne Fritzson of the Uniting Church in Sweden. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 27 October 2025 The visit formed part of the weeklong conference program focused on deepening visible Christian unity. The evening at Anaphora offered a unique opportunity to experience the spiritual gifts and hospitality of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Participants joined in prayer, enjoyed live local music, and shared fellowship around the table in a spirit of joy and gratitude. Father Kyrillos El Machari guides people through a model of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus, as on Sunday, participants in the WCC Faith and Order Sixth World Conference visit the Anafora Centre of the Coptic Orthodox Church for a so-called Pilgrimage Encounter at the halfway point of the world conference. The World Council of Churches Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order takes place 24-28 October 2025 in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt, around the theme “Where now for visible unity?” Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Metropolitan Thomas, founder of Anaphora Retreat Center, spoke to the group about the center’s vision and the deeper meaning of community. “Our first vision at Anaphora is to lift up the person, and the whole person. Every person is a gift of God to us,” he said. “I am inviting all of you to carry this vision, that it will enable you to see beyond what you see, to sit in the eyes of Jesus, and look through his eyes to the world.” He emphasized that the “liturgy after liturgy” continues in the way Christians encounter and uplift one another each day. “The liturgy after liturgy is every meeting, and every face, and every person,” he said. On Sunday, participants in the WCC Faith and Order Sixth World Conference visit the Anafora Centre of the Coptic Orthodox Church for a so-called Pilgrimage Encounter at the halfway point of the world conference. The World Council of Churches Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order takes place 24-28 October 2025 in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt, around the theme “Where now for visible unity?” Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC central committee, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the experience. “We are so blessed to be here tonight,” he said. “We have heard a lot about the church that needs to show what it talks about, that needs to radiate the love that we talk about. That is what we feel tonight. We will go home inspired, very much inspired. We will radiate the spirit of Anaphora, the spirit of love, of faith and of beauty and hope, and we will spread that all over the world.” On Sunday, participants in the WCC Faith and Order Sixth World Conference visit the Anafora Centre of the Coptic Orthodox Church for a so-called Pilgrimage Encounter at the halfway point of the world conference. The World Council of Churches Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order takes place 24-28 October 2025 in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt, around the theme “Where now for visible unity?” Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay reflected on how such encounters strengthen the global Christian fellowship. “When I see us gathered in this place in such great diversity from around the world, it reminds me that Christian unity is possible,” he said. “We have come to witness what it means to be co-pilgrims together.” WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay shares a reflection, as on Sunday, participants in the WCC Faith and Order Sixth World Conference visit the Anafora Centre of the Coptic Orthodox Church for a so-called Pilgrimage Encounter at the halfway point of the world conference.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC Rev. Dr Stephanie Dietrich, moderator of the WCC’s Faith and Order Commission, expressed gratitude for a moment where unity was not only spoken about, but lived: “We are thankful to you for enabling spaces where visible unity is not only discussed, but experienced.” H.E. Archbishop Angaelos of London reflected on the hospitality evident in the special evening and throughout the 6th World Conference on Faith and Order. People stand for a closing moment of prayer as on Sunday, participants in the WCC Faith and Order Sixth World Conference visit the Anafora Centre of the Coptic Orthodox Church for a so-called Pilgrimage Encounter at the halfway point of the world conference. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC “It is a recognition of the image of God in every person, whether it was the greeting of the strangers in the Old Testament, whether it is the washing of feet that we see in the New Testament, or it is in the breaking of bread as we have seen today,” he said. “This is a beautiful house of God.”   As World Conference on Faith and Order opens in Egypt, hearts and minds look to unity (WCC news release, 24 October 2025)   Ancient faith, living tradition: global delegates encounter Coptic monastic life in Egypt (WCC photo essay, 27 October 2025)   Conference livestreams and recordings   Photogallery: Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order, 2025   Learn more about the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order Metropolitan Thomas of the Coptic Orthodox Church shares words of welcome as on Sunday, participants in the WCC Faith and Order Sixth World Conference visit the Anafora Centre of the Coptic Orthodox Church for a so-called Pilgrimage Encounter at the halfway point of the world conference.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 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