Church representatives discuss how September 1 observance can be elevated to a shared ecumenical commitment
(LWI) – Christian World Communions, ecumenical bodies, national churches and congregations have taken a major step in advancing a shared vision for elevating the annual Feast of Creation of 1 September to a liturgical feast. A recent webinar “A New Liturgical Feast, a Gift for the Third Millennium,” highlighted the significance of a unified observance of this feast for greater unity in Christian worship and ecological commitment.
Convened by an International Steering Committee, chaired by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and representing different church bodies, including The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), the 18 and 19 March webinar, brought together around 400 registered participants. The event provided a space to reflect on theological foundations, share practical experiences, and discern next steps toward establishing a common day of celebration.
The Feast of Creation has its roots in ancient Christian tradition, particularly within Orthodox churches, where September 1 has long been observed as a day marking the beginning of creation. In recent decades, at the invitation of the Orthodox Church, this tradition has expanded ecumenically, gaining recognition as the starting point of the annual Season of Creation, which runs until 4 October.
Since 2016, churches worldwide have increasingly embraced this broader season, supported by grassroots movements, theological reflection, and international dialogue. The current initiative seeks to deepen this momentum by encouraging churches to adopt a shared Feast of Creation—either on September 1 or on the nearest Sunday—so that Christians globally can celebrate together.
A range of materials was presented to support churches in adopting the Feast of Creation, including theological papers, liturgical guidance, and practical recommendations to assist churches at all levels—from global communions to local congregations—in integrating the feast into their liturgical calendars and common life. These included a joint letter signed by leaders of the LWF, Anglican Communion, World Communion of Reformed Churches, World Methodist Council, the WCC and the Middle East Council Churches presenting proposals from their ecumenical dialogues convened in Assisi since 2024. Inspired by the 2025 ecumenical celebration of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, they described the possibility of a common liturgical feast of creation “as a precious opportunity for Christians of the new millennium to honor the Triune God as Creator and celebrate the great mystery of the creation of all things through Christ.”
