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Unity Octave 2025: Celebrating the Spirit of Oneness in the Indian Churches

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The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in India was observed from January 18 to 25, 2025, with churches across the country coming together to pray for unity. This annual event, promoted in India by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) and the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), highlighted the importance of Christian unity through prayer and reflection.
The 2025 observance was especially significant as it marked the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, held in 325 AD, which played a crucial role in shaping the doctrinal unity of the Church. The theme for this year’s event, “Do you believe in this?” was inspired by John 11:17-27, inviting Christians to reflect on the essential question of faith that unites them. The prayers and reflections for the week were prepared by the monastic community of Bose in northern Italy.

NCCI Sunday was observed on 19th, January. specifically to uphold the activities of NCCI in prayer.

Throughout the week, regional councils of NCCI and CBCI held worship services and gatherings, fostering a sense of unity and fellowship among Christians of various denominations. This special time provided an opportunity for participants to deepen their faith, reconnect with their shared Christian heritage, and commit to the principles of Christian unity, strengthening the bonds between believers across India and beyond. NCCI expresses its appreciation to those who worked diligently to translate the liturgy into different vernacular languages and to those who put in significant effort to organize many events at the regional level.

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Rev Dr Abraham Mathew
Executive Secretary,
Commission on Policy, Governance and Public Witness

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Prayer Day for PEACE in MANIPUR (July 30)

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In the last few days we have witnessed the outrage of the People of India in different locations with regard to the unabated violence in Manipur. We stood united in condemning violence and sexual assault on women, and continue to voice out and intervene.

We also see unrest and semblances of violence spilling over to other parts of the North East India. This is quite dangerous and needs to be contained.

The secretariat of the National Council of Churches in India and it’s service wing the Christian Service Agency is seized of the matter in different fronts. We are in constant contact with our constituents in Manipur and churches in NE for finding out the ways to build peace in that region. Agencies related to the NCCI like the CASA and the LWSIT are also actively engaged in providing relief to the affected irrespective of ethnicities or religious affiliations.

We now appeal for concerted prayer – joining together in one accord – to advocate for PEACE in Manipur and the whole of North East India. We request all local churches/ congregations/ parishes/ corps in the episcopal overview and pastoral supervision of the NCCI Member Churches to observe the upcoming Sunday – Sunday the 30th July 2023 as a COMMON Day of PRAYER for PEACE in MANIPUR and across NORTH EAST INDIA.

We pray God Almighty to look favourably upon the situation in Manipur, and bless all efforts to bring Healing amidst the people of Manipur and Peace in the region.

We thank the Heads of Churches, all the Constituents of the NCCI, and all those who have actively involved in providing relief and advocating for Peace in Manipur. We further urge you to be continually involved and encourage all, over whom you have influence, to also involve in local initiatives to build peace and promote communal harmony among and amidst all people.

Let us be fervent in prayer.

Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary NCCI

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Living Water in the Indian Crucible

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National Council of Churches in India condemns killings in New Zealand; affirms solidarity with Muslims

National Council of Churches (NCCI) in India is saddened by the hate-filled terror attack at Christchurch in New Zealand. We extend our solidarity to the families of the victims and we stand with friends of the Islamic faith who are affected largely by the trauma of the attack. Let God enable all the affected ones to experience the eternal peace.

The shooting at Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch and the Masjid in Linwood is a visible expression of growing intolerance worldwide towards migrants and Muslims. The right-wing fanaticism related to economy, ethnicity and nationalism complicates the situation. Hostility towards ‘others’, precipitated in violence has led to the annihilation of ‘others.’ These kinds of massacres which involve singling out a group of people and labelling them as ‘people to be
hated’ are against the human race. It is time to for those who believe in justice and peace to come out and condemn any such actions wherever it may be in the world.

This is an eye opener to everyone that the seeds of hate can grow to any extent, shedding the blood of many innocents. It is time now to take a pledge together, to have zero tolerance towards hate mongering of any form, be it through news channels, social media or hate speeches.

National Council of Churches in India believe in dialogue and peaceful coexistence of all. We support the efforts of New Zealand Government to maintain peace and harmony among the communities. May God grant us the understanding that we are meant to live with all peoples in peace.

Rev. Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary, NCCI

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