Asia Sunday 2025 observed by Korean churches at St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Seoul

Photo credit: The National Council of Churches in Korea
Seoul, South Korea: Asia Sunday 2025 was observed at St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Seoul, South Korea, on 1 June, through a moving ecumenical worship service enriched by traditional Korean music.
Organised by the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK), the service reflected the unity and diversity of the Asian Churches, grounded in the theme: “Nicaea – 1700: Enduring Faith and Embracing Unity.”
Representatives of NCCK’s member churches, along with several Korean ecumenical leaders engaged in the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) and the wider ecumenical movement gathered to affirm their shared faith in the Triune God. The service celebrated the diversity of ecclesial traditions and called upon the Churches to overcome social polarisation and rising intolerance in Asia, and affirm the rich traditions of religiously and culturally pluralistic societies. A special prayer and offering were also dedicated to the victims of the recent earthquake in Myanmar.
Worship was led by a diverse group of facilitators representing various church traditions in Korea, including clergy, laity, youth, and women. Among them were Rev. Dr Choi Sang Do; Dr Young Mi Cho, a member of the CCA Executive Committee; Rev. Dr Park Do Woong, WCC Central Committee member; Bishop Kim Jang-hwan Elijah of the Seoul Diocese, Anglican Church in Korea; and Rev. Dr Ahn Jae Woong, former General Secretary of the CCA.
His Eminence Metropolitan Ambrosios of the Orthodox Metropolis of Korea and Moderator of NCCK, who delivered the homily at the service, reflected: "The Church is called to preserve our unity in true faith and love, visible only when ‘true faith’ and ‘mutual love’ meet. Real unity is realised when we embody love in our daily lives, our workplaces, and our communities. True love is respecting others’ dignity and embracing their differences.”
Rev. Kim Jong Seng, General Secretary of NCCK, stated, "As we live in a society marked by diverse cultures, politics, economies, and religions—and as polarisation deepens, especially in Korea, this is a crucial time for the Church to pray for unity in the Triune God, who leads us to affirm our faith and our diversity in unity.”
For photos of the Asia Sunday 2025 observance in Seoul, please click here. (Photo Gallery)