Happy Creation Day

Creator, from the depth and breadth of creation, we thank you.

The message below is from Tomás Insua, Laudato Si’ Research Institute (Oxford University) on behalf of Bishop Bedford-Strohm (chair of Feast of Creation process) and fellow conveners. Additional context added by KJG.

For months now many global ecumenical partners including Anglicans have participated in dialogues about the Feast of Creation.

Today, on Monday, September 1st, or the following Sunday (Sept 7th this year), congregations can kick off the larger celebration of the Season of Creation (Sept 1 – Oct 4). [I have done this now for many years in different parishes. It seems the global Christian community is catching up with me. Cool, huh! KJG]

A report summarizing the outcomes of the last Assisi conference (May 2025) is now available: “An Ecumenical Dream for the Third Millenium” (with a longer report due to follow in the coming months). These reports are beautifully and helpfully presented.

From the Introduction we read:

“A promising ecumenical process is underway, unprecedented in the long history of Christianity. It began in March 2024, when a conference in Assisi discussed the future of “Creation Day”, as September 1st came to be known in recent decades (also known as the “Feast of Creation” or “World Day of Prayer for Creation”). Inspired by the day’s ancient symbolism and role in the liturgical calendar of the Eastern Orthodox Church, consensus began to emerge about the elevation of Creation Day to become a liturgical feast or observance also in other denominations.

This new report summarizes the outcomes of a second Assisi conference held in early May 2025, marking the 1700 years of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. In fact, the Feast exploration was grounded in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed’s proclamation of our faith in the Trinity’s role in Creation – in “the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth”, in Christ “through [whom] all things were made”, and in the Holy Spirit, “the giver of life.”

A true “ecumenical kairos” was experienced in Assisi, with the consensus solidifying even further about the importance of the various denominations moving forward to embrace Creation Day more intentionally in the different church calendars.

Reading the signs of the times, while firmly grounded in our common faith and distinct traditions, there is a strong desire for a joint step. Needless to say, the journey is still incomplete – more dialogues are needed at various levels. But the Holy Spirit is moving and the overall direction of travel is clear.”

Additionally, the proposal was made to have a “centering concept” allowing churches to discern the titles that make most sense to them. Keeping “Feast of Creation” as the main anchor, the first draft of centering concept is: “The FEAST OF CREATION celebrating the Creator God and the mystery of Creation in Christ.”

Moreover, momentum continues to build locally, with various churches making strong drives to celebrate the feast more intentionally this year. For example, six Catholic bishops’ conferences have issued nation-wide mandates for annual liturgical celebrations of Creation Day in all of their parishes on the first Sunday of September (even if not an official feast yet).

While we wait for the feast to become official in liturgical calendars everywhere, we hope that everyone will encourage Creation Day celebrations in your respective countries. Many Anglican churches have already encouraged the addition of a Feast Day of Creation to their calendars including: The Anglican Church of Canada; The Episcopal Church; The Church of England; The Episcopal Church of Scotland; and the Church of Southern Africa.

As we continue to raise awareness about the Feast of Creation and pave the way for it to become a formal feast in the various denominations here are some resources:

 (Also available in other languages)   

  • New ecumenical website with various resources(including the Creation Day online prayer service happening today at 3pm CEST): www.FeastOfCreation.com

Creator, from the depth and breadth of creation, we thank you.

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