THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
from January 18th to 25th 2008
The icon shown on the left depicts the embrace between Peter and Andrew. This icon was offered by Pope Paul VI to the Patriarch of Constantinople Athenagoras 1st on January 5th 1964 as a sign of reconciliation between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches following the lifting of the reciprocal excommunications from 1054.
The two Apostles, St Peter and St Andrew embrace each other beneath Christ in glory. Andrew was the first to follow Our Lord, while Peter was destined to confirm his brothers in the faith of Christ.
‘...their embrace beneath the gaze of Christ is an invitation to continue on the journey we have undertaken towards this goal of unity which we want to achieve together....(John Paul II)
