Toward a common liturgical celebration of the Feast of CreationToward a common liturgical celebration of the Feast of Creation | The Lutheran World Federation MR

Toward a common liturgical celebration of the Feast of Creation

Global and national church bodies take major step in advancing a shared vision for elevating the annual Feast of Creation of 1 September to a liturgical feast.

23 Mar 2026

| English

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Photo: LWF/Johanan Celine Valeriano

Church representatives discuss how September 1 observance can be elevated to a shared ecumenical commitment 

(LWI) – Christian World Communions, ecumenical bodies, national churches and congregations have taken a major step in advancing a shared vision for elevating the annual Feast of Creation of 1 September to a liturgical feast. A recent webinar “A New Liturgical Feast, a Gift for the Third Millennium,” highlighted the significance of a unified observance of this feast for greater unity in Christian worship and ecological commitment. 

Convened by an International Steering Committee, chaired by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and representing different church bodies, including The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), the 18 and 19 March webinar, brought together around 400 registered participants. The event provided a space to reflect on theological foundations, share practical experiences, and discern next steps toward establishing a common day of celebration. 

The Feast of Creation has its roots in ancient Christian tradition, particularly within Orthodox churches, where September 1 has long been observed as a day marking the beginning of creation. In recent decades, at the invitation of the Orthodox Church, this tradition has expanded ecumenically, gaining recognition as the starting point of the annual Season of Creation, which runs until 4 October.  

Since 2016, churches worldwide have increasingly embraced this broader season, supported by grassroots movements, theological reflection, and international dialogue. The current initiative seeks to deepen this momentum by encouraging churches to adopt a shared Feast of Creation—either on September 1 or on the nearest Sunday—so that Christians globally can celebrate together. 

A range of materials was presented to support churches in adopting the Feast of Creation, including theological papers, liturgical guidance, and practical recommendations to assist churches at all levels—from global communions to local congregations—in integrating the feast into their liturgical calendars and common life. These included a joint letter signed by leaders of the LWF, Anglican Communion, World Communion of Reformed Churches, World Methodist Council, the WCC and the Middle East Council Churches presenting proposals from their ecumenical dialogues convened in Assisi since 2024. Inspired by the 2025 ecumenical celebration of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, they described the possibility of a common liturgical feast of creation “as a precious opportunity for Christians of the new millennium to honor the Triune God as Creator and celebrate the great mystery of the creation of all things through Christ.”

Christian spirituality 

Discussions during the plenary underscored the rich theological dimensions of the Feast of Creation. Speakers highlighted creation as a Trinitarian mystery, a sacramental reality revealing God’s presence, and a covenant that includes all living beings. At the same time, participants acknowledged the tension between celebration and lament in the face of ecological crises, affirming that both belong within Christian spirituality. “As we lift up and focus on creation, we do not romanticize it,” noted Prof. Dr Dirk Lange, LWF Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations, “creation too is groaning for redemption. It is good but not perfect. The Feast of Creation will need to acknowledge this aspect.” 

A recurring topic was the importance of the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) as an ecumenical tool that could support the feast’s integration across different denominations. The RCL is already making plans to add the Feast to the liturgical calendar.  

Participants also underlined the need to engage liturgical bodies, theologians, and church leadership, while ensuring grassroot participation. In breakout groups according to themes and confessional bodies, participants offered insights from national and regional contexts while engaging with the broader ecumenical vision. 

Linking national and global processes 

“Lutheran voices emphasized the importance of linking national initiatives with global processes, suggesting a role for the LWF in convening further dialogue among liturgists and church bodies to advance the common celebration,” said Prof. Lange. 

Participants heard how existing harvest and thanksgiving traditions in Sweden already incorporate ecological themes but stressed the importance of framing the Feast of Creation as a global celebration rather than a local custom. In Italy, there are possibilities for Lutherans and other Protestant churches and organizations to integrate this discussion through the ongoing collaboration on environmental initiatives.  

In Germany, the Council of Christian Churches (die Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen (ACK) was described as the main driving force for further engagement. The ACK’s observance of an annual ecumenical “Day of Creation” (Tag der Schöpfung) on the first Friday of September provides something solid to build on for the Feast of Creation, including local synods and congregations.  

 We hope that the Feast of Creation will become a widely recognized and shared celebration—strengthening both the spiritual life of churches and their common response to the urgent challenges facing the world today

Prof. Dr Dirk Lange, LWF Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations

Contributions also came from participants in Norway, Latvia, Indonesia, and the United States, reflecting diverse approaches but a shared commitment to implementation. Overall, participants reflected on potential steps for moving forward, including adapting lectionaries, engaging church leadership and ecumenical councils, and expanding access to resources and workshops. Both top-down leadership and grassroots engagement were seen as essential to embedding the feast in church life. 

“As the process moves forward, we hope that the Feast of Creation will become a widely recognized and shared celebration—strengthening both the spiritual life of churches and their common response to the urgent challenges facing the world today,” Lange added.