Local Christian religious leaders will observe a nearly century-old tradition Jan. 18-25 as they participate in a number of activities during the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, including a highly anticipated ecumenical service at the Armenian Church, Western Diocese in Burbank Jan. 22.

Started in 1908 by Atonement Father Paul Wattson, the worldwide Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is coordinated by a Joint Working Group consisting of representatives from the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches. The theme for this year's event is based on Matthew 18:15-22: "Where two or three are gathered in my name…"

"I hope Catholics come to the realization that Christian unity is something for which we all must strive," said Father Alexei Smith, archdiocesan director of ecumenical/interreligious affairs. He would like to see the annual ecumenical prayer week "revitalized" not only in church prayer services but schools and fraternal organizations like the ACCW.

Father Smith urges Catholics to "get involved" with the ecumenical movement, which has come a long way from the days Catholics were discouraged from entering another denomination's church. Since the Second Vatican Council's Decree on Ecumenism ("Unitatis Redintegratio") in 1964, followed by the Council's Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christain Religions ("Nostra Aetate") in 1965, the Catholic Church has promoted ecumenical and interfaith dialogue.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian of the Armenian Church, Western Diocese, host of the Jan. 22 (4 p.m.) ecumenical prayer service, has been very active in local interreligious events since he was named Primate of the Armenian Western Diocese in 2003.

"It's dangerous for a church to be isolated," said the archbishop. "The more engaged you are in the heart of the community, the stronger you are."

Currently chair of the Los Angeles Council of Religious Leaders, Archbishop Derderian sees Pope Benedict XVI continuing Pope John Paul II's message of ecumenism.

"I'm happy to see Pope Benedict carrying on the same ecumenical spirit, openness and collaboration between other religions," said Archbishop Derderian. "This age has tensions among religions in different parts of the world. We are responsible as religious leaders for maintenance of peace and well-being of communities in today's world."

Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord, who heads the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Concerns for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, said Week of Prayer for Christian Unity participants are "blessed" to be officially gathering for the first time at the Burbank Armenian Church, site of the future Armenian Cathedral. Archbishop Derdarian, noted Rev. Guibord, "has done a major outreach both to ecumenical and interfaith organizations."

Highlights of the prayer service will be a homily by Los Angeles Episcopal Bishop Jon Bruno and a closing liturgy where participants will receive "bread for the journey" distributed by representatives of the Greek Orthodox Church. "All Christians yearn for a time when, as one body, we will be able to share the eucharistic table," declared Rev. Guibord.

Resources for the 2006 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity are available at www.geii.org The website offers a brief history of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, an ecumenical celebration, an exegetical reflection on the scriptural theme, a daily scripture and prayer guide and suggestions for promoting and observing WPCU. The address of the Armenian Church, Western Diocese, site of the Jan. 22 4 p.m. ecumenical prayer service, is 3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank.