Prayer, Faith, Praise, and Hope... This is the "Season of Creation," which brings with it much joy, awareness, and determination to work together for a cause considered one of the most important in the Ecumenical world: the environmental issue, which has become an urgent priority today.

The "Season of Creation" began on September 1 and continues until October 4, with international Prayers, celebrations, and events that emphasize the need to protect and preserve God's creation, based on our shared Christian responsibility toward it, and the importance of the commitment to the environmental issue and its follow-up for a more peaceful future.

Peace is the focus of this year' “Season of Creation”, which takes the theme “Peace with Creation” and the symbol of “Garden of Peace”, inspired by Isaiah 32: 14-18. How can Christians around the world instill Christian environmental values ​​through their celebrations?

Praying together

The international “Season of Creation” guide, which the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) has translated into Arabic as usual each year, offers a series of practical steps that invite believers to enhance their environmental knowledge so that each person, from their own perspective, can make a change that protects their common home and fortifies it from any harm or suffering.

The guide invites participation in an Ecumenical Prayer Service and presents in its pages a series of Payers, readings, and reflections, in addition to some suggestions that enrich the celebration.

In this context, the guide recommends reading excerpts from a message from a Church Leader, such as the annual message of the Ecumenical Patriarch on the occasion of the Creation Day, the message from the Pope, or even any other document from the Church's traditions.

The guide also encourages expressing sorrow for the damage caused to the environment during the rite of penance and confession, as well as participating in moments of silence to listen to the praises of creation, especially if the celebration is held outdoors.

In addition, it is possible to incorporate some symbols from nature into the celebration, such as branches or fruits... and to include special intentions related to the care of creation in the Prayers of intercession, as well as presenting artistic scenes about creation with children and youth...

Working together

From this perspective, the "Season of Creation" guide offers some ideas for implementing various outdoor activities, such as a contemplative walk or a spiritual pilgrimage aimed at strengthening communion with life in all its forms. The march could head to a natural oasis, focusing on gratitude to God and a commitment to protecting nature, or to a site that has suffered environmental degradation to express grief, repentance, and a call for restoration.

Nature reserves or areas designated for wildlife protection could also be visited. Environmental parties, such as forest rangers, forest fire response teams, farmers, shepherds, beekeepers, and scout groups, could also be invited to share their experiences in protecting nature. Christian groups and organizations working in the fields of justice, peace, and reconciliation can also be invited to participate in the activities and contribute to reflections and dialogues.

In addition, there are other practical activities that can also contribute to raising environmental awareness, such as organizing local clean-up campaigns, tree planting and afforestation to support biodiversity, launching recycling initiatives, screening films or organizing public dialogues on the care of creation, organizing writing or drawing competitions for children and youth, as well as concerts or art performances celebrating creation, and meetings to study Biblical Texts on the care of creation.

Given all the above, every step, however small, remains crucial in moving together towards peace with creation and the entire world! Solidarity and cooperation are essential, and prayer is necessary to build a strong and deep relationship with God and all of His creation.