Church Unity Octave (Jan 22)
January 22, 2026
DAY 5 (Jan 22)
One Lord, one faith, one baptism (Eph 4:5).
Invocation
Let us glorify Almighty God, who has shined his light upon his creatures. Now, may he once more shine his abundant mercy upon those who glorify his name in song. Almighty Lord our God, raise us to life and have mercy on us. R/. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy
Gracious and almighty Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, you are the true Light, who cast out the darkness of sin, and shined into our hearts the joy and hope of your eternal Kingdom. R/. Lord, have mercy.
Loving Lord, accept the prayers of all your faithful children throughout the world, who call out to you with one mind, one voice, and one heart. Through your beloved disciple John, you promised that if we walk in your light, then we will have communion with one another, and your precious blood will cleanse us of all sin. Bring us that blessed communion, O Saviour! R/. Lord, have mercy.
Grant us peace, O Loving Lord, and remove the scourge of civil unrest and violence from the face of the earth. Change the hearts of all who make war and touch the wounds of all who are afflicted by war. Comfort all prisoners of war and speedily bring them home. Let the light of your love shine in all the dark places of our world and hasten the day when all peoples may dwell in peace with justice. R/. Lord, have mercy.
Scripture: Zechariah 14:6-9
6 It will happen in that day that there will not be light, cold, or frost. 7 It will be a unique day which is known to Yahweh—not day, and not night; but it will come to pass that at evening time there will be light. 8 It will happen in that day that living waters will go out from Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea, and half of them toward the western sea. It will be so in summer and in winter. 9 Yahweh will be King over all the earth. In that day Yahweh will be one, and his name one.
Psalm Response
Reflection
In Ephesians 4:5, the Apostle Paul emphasizes that the act of baptism solidifies Christian unity by marking the entrance of individuals into the Church’s fellowship, affirming their shared commitment to the same Lord. Baptism creates the collective identity of the Church since we are one in the Body of the Lord. This sacrament serves as a powerful reminder that, while members may come from varied backgrounds, their unity in faith and baptism transcends all divisions. By focusing on these unifying elements, the Church can celebrate its diversity while remaining steadfastly united. This challenges us to prioritize our shared identity in Christ over our
differences, reinforcing the bond that unites all Christians.
A question to consider
What collaborative initiatives can our various communities undertake to celebrate our shared faith in Jesus Christ and the unity established through baptism?
Confession of Faith (St. Gregory of Narek)
He submitted himself willingly to the cross of death, like an innocent lamb led to slaughter, and girded himself with mighty self-discipline for the salvation of those he created. He truly suffered like a mortal. He was placed in a tomb with no special treatment for his divinity. On the third day, in the hell of Tartarus, he preached to the downcast captives and showed renewal and light. And having carried out his providential mission of redemption, he came back to life as God, and ruled on the wings of the winds, rising upon the Cherubim, covered in an inscrutable cloud. He ascended into heaven on high, sat in splendor upon the throne bequeathed to him from the beginning, equal with his Father, from whom he had never been separated, neither losing what had been acquired, nor diluting that which was his own. Therefore, he shall come to the judgment of retribution, examining the unseen with the scales of justice, for which we wait and pray with faith in his almighty Lordship over and through all, who truly is the only one of the only one in equal glory forever worshiped as one.
Musical Selection
As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit now and ever and unto the ages of ages Amen.
Prayer
Spirit of God, and true God,
who descended on the river Jordan, and into the upper-room;
who enlightened us by the baptism of the Holy Font,
we have sinned against Heaven and before you,
purify us again with your divine fire,
as you did the Apostles with fiery tongues.
Have mercy on Your creatures and especially on us. Amen. (St. Nersess the Gracious; adapted)