Holy Land: Join historic ecumenical service online

Brendan Metcalfe, CEO of Friends of the Holy Land writes: It has been a very painful Holy Week and Easter for our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land; so, we ask you to show you care and seek for an end to this escalating war by joining us online in an historic ecumenical service to pray for a lasting peace during this time of brokenness and conflict.

This special ecumenical service will take place in Temple Church, London, on Tuesday 20th May. The event will feature a simulcast broadcast from the Co-Cathedral of the Most Holy Name of Jesus in the Latin complex, Jerusalem. The service will commence at 12pm BST in London and 2pm IDT in Jerusalem.

"This event marks the 1700th anniversary of the opening day of the Council of Nicaea (325 AD) and will bring together Christian leaders and communities for a profound moment of unity and prayer for peace, during this time of brokenness and conflict." The Revd Robin Griffith-Jones, Master of the Temple

His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa will lead the service in Jerusalem along with Archbishop Hosam Naoum of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, with invitations extended to the other leaders in the Holy City. In London, Cardinal Vincent Nichols will lead along with Bishop Christopher Chessun, leaders from the Orthodox Churches and from Churches Together in England.

HB Cardinal Pizzaballa in his Easter Homily said: "Following Jesus, even in our difficult trials, is as compelling as it gets. So let us not forget that the Gospel speaks of an overturned stone. Therefore, even though there are so many problems and difficulties that beset us, let us affirm with serene confidence and clear determination that nothing keeps us trapped in our tombs, that we are a living Church that does not give up in the face of the stones that lie before us."

Please share the online joining details with your friends and family so they will be able to join us on this special occasion. The service can be watched either live or within 48 hours.

Join online here: www.youtube.com/live/tCwQG1TPvJk