Church Unity Octave (Jan 25)
January 25, 2026
DAY 8 (Jan 25)
The gifts he gave were for building up the body of Christ,
until all of us come to the unity of the
faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity,
to the measure of the full stature of
Christ (cf. Eph 4:13).
Invocations (St. Gregory Narek)
Will you, I wonder: Forget to be charitable, my expectation? Neglect to be compassionate, caring Lord? Regret your charity toward humankind, constant Lord? Retreat from your life-giving, everlasting Lord? Abandon the cheerful fruit of your mercy? Corrupt the gracious flower of your sweetness? Dishonor the grandeur of your generous bounty? Vary the glory of your white-haired exaltation? Waste the fitting splendor of your crown?
If bliss is for the merciful, then you, a kingdom unto yourself, filled with love, will you not grant me full salvation? Will you not offer a salve for my wounds? Will you not minister to my pains? Will you not cure my weakness? Will you not shed light upon the darkness, for me who trusts in your strength?
You, gift of life to the universe, who alone have glory in oneself and of oneself, whose everlasting being is witnessed by everything, blessed and glorified through three eternities, and beyond the limits of all conceivable infinities. Amen.
Scripture: Proverbs 9:10-12
The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom.
The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied.
The years of your life will be increased.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself.
If you mock, you alone will bear it.
Psalm Response
Reflection
In Ephesians 4:13 the apostle Paul summarizes the vision of the Body of Christ in three key areas: unity in faith, maturity in knowledge, and fullness in Christ. Maturity comes through an ever-deepening knowledge of Jesus Christ. This is life-changing knowledge that leads us to renew our minds and put it into practice in actions rather than just intellectual comprehension. We resemble him more and more as we get to know him better. To gain this knowledge, one must both study his teachings and live them in obedience daily. The “full stature of Christ” is the goal of Christian maturity. It means becoming more like Jesus in every way: loving as he loves, serving as he serves, and reflecting his character. We are called to evaluate our spiritual journey, seeking unity with each other, growing in our knowledge of the Son of God, and striving for his fullness in us.
A question to consider
How are we growing in our knowledge of Christ and allowing that knowledge to shape our actions, thoughts and relationships?
Confession of Faith (St. Gregory of Narek)
But you, beneficent and charitable in all things, O Christ, of one God, mighty and powerful, who surpasses all with your sweet and caring compassion not only humanity in general and those like me who are susceptible to all manner of contrariness, but also the uncontaminated angels, and even the pure and saintly, who give praise. There was Elijah, for example, whose austere signs on Mt. Horeb were shown in three ways: a great earthquake, strong winds and burning fire. But you act in the mildness of patience and the calm peacefulness of the sweet air, for you alone, as the Scripture says, are the will of mercy. And although our kind found joy in virtue and otherwise adopted heavenly ways, still they were earthlings, though chosen among mankind. You, on the contrary, are not even capable of evil: You are good in your very essence and blessed in all things, salvation for all, tranquility in all, calm for all, cure for all disease, the fount of life-giving water in the words of Jeremiah.
Musical Selection
In Christ there is no East or West,
In Him no South or North;
But one great fellowship of love
Throughout the whole wide Earth.
Join hands, then, brothers of the faith,
Whate'er your race may be;
Who serves my Father as a son
Is surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both East and West,
In Him meet South and North,
All Christlike souls are one in Him,
Throughout the whole wide Earth
Prayer
O Christ, True Light of the world,
make my soul worthy to see the light of your glory
with joy on the day of my calling,
and to rest with the hope of good things
in the house of the righteous,
until the day of your great coming.
Have mercy upon your creation,
and on me, a great sinner.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.