King Charles III attends ecumenical Advent service with Eastern Catholic and other church leaders

King Charles III attended an ecumenical Advent service at Westminster Abbey on 10 December, expressing solidarity with those persecuted for their faith. The event brought together clergy from various Christian traditions, including Eastern Catholic churches in communion with Rome. These churches, such as the Melkite Greek Catholic Archimandrite Dr Shafiq Abouzayd, were represented alongside leaders from Orthodox, Assyrian, Armenian, Anglican, and Protestant denominations.

Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe OP, a Dominican priest, delivered a message emphasizing the importance of peace-making and reconciliation amid global violence. He highlighted the example of martyrs, describing them as witnesses to the power of nonviolence. Radcliffe noted that love is stronger than hatred and life stronger than death, urging the congregation to remember all who are persecuted for their faith, including those of other religions. He also addressed the rise of antisemitism, underscoring the shared need for unity and compassion.

Radcliffe recounted the life of Bishop Pierre-Lucien Claverie OP, a Dominican who served as bishop in Algeria before being murdered by extremists. Claverie was known for his efforts to foster dialogue and friendship between Christians and Muslims during the Algerian Civil War. Despite threats to his life, he chose to remain in the country, committed to peaceful coexistence. After his assassination, many Muslims attended his funeral, recognizing him as “the bishop of the Muslims.” Radcliffe drew a parallel between Claverie’s life and the symbolism of the cross blooming at Easter, illustrating how even in the face of violence, new life and friendship can emerge.

The service featured a diverse array of liturgical traditions, with the Coptic Orthodox Diocesan choir singing in Coptic and the Syriac Orthodox Church choir chanting in Syriac, a dialect of Aramaic. Greek Orthodox archdeacon Dr George Tsourous read the Gospel in Greek, reflecting the rich tapestry of Christian worship present at the event. Clergy from the Eastern Catholic churches, including the Melkite Greek Catholic Archimandrite, joined in the procession alongside leaders from other denominations.

Ribqa Nevash, a 25-year-old advocate for persecuted Christians in Pakistan, was also present. She recently received the Courage to be Christian Award from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) for her work. Her participation highlighted the ongoing efforts of individuals within the global Christian community to support and uplift those facing persecution. The service served as a reminder of the shared mission of all Christians to stand in solidarity with the persecuted and to embody the values of mercy, justice, and peace.

The event underscored the importance of interfaith dialogue and the role of the Church in promoting reconciliation. As Cardinal Radcliffe noted, martyrs invite us to transcend the passivity of victimhood and to recognize Christ as the beginning of the beginning. The gathering at Westminster Abbey reflected a collective commitment to these principles, drawing inspiration from the enduring hope and resilience of the Christian faith.

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