Creation Time/Creationtide

What is Creation Time?

In 1989 the Ecumenical Patriarch (the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians worldwide) suggested that 1 September, the first day of the Orthodox Church’s year, should be observed as a day “of protection of the natural environment”.

Ten years later the European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN) widened this proposal, urging churches to adopt a Time for Creation stretching from 1 September to the feast of St Francis on 4 October. This was endorsed by the 2007 European Ecumenical Assembly, which recommended that the period “be dedicated to prayer for the protection of Creation and the promotion of sustainable lifestyles that reverse our contribution to climate change”. This period is known as Creation Time.

Since 2008 Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) has compiled a programme of resources to encourage and assist churches to observe Creation Time, which stretches from 1 September to the feast of St Francis on 4 October – and so spans the “harvest season” for many in Britain.

In addition, in 2015 Pope Francis established an annual day of global prayer for creation to be celebrated on 1 September; an event that offers a hand of friendship to the Orthodox Church, which established a similar day of prayer in 1989.

To more information and resources click HERE