Week 1 of the the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches began its 10-day event with the Opening Prayer at the Bexco convention center in Busan, South Korea.
It consisted of prayer, worship, and acknowledgement of the suffering within nations. Cries and hopes for each nation attending, were addressed from South Korean dignitaries and church leaders.
Church members were given the opportunity to mourn for those suffering and pray for improvement. The Opening Prayer was a time for churches members' to come together as one to reflect on their nation as well as others, support one another, and creates awareness of the issues occurring.
(Photo: Young-kun Park)Young participants present religious icons and objects representing different avenues of prayer from around the world during the Gathering Prayer at the 10th World Council of Churches Assembly in Busan, South Korea on October 30, 2013. (Photo: Young-kun Park)Presentations are delivered at the Gathering Prayer on the first day of the 10th World Council of Churches Assembly on October 30, 2013 in Busan, South Korea. (Photo: Ecumenical News / Peter Kenny)Former World Council of Churches general secretary, Rev. Konrad Raiser (R) with Mor Polycarpus, the Bishop of the Syriac Orthodox Church in Holland (L) and Metropolitan Kuriakose Theophilose, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Antinoch (center) shortly before the opening of the World Council of Churches 10th Assembly in Busan, South Korea on October 30, 2013. (Photo: Ecumenical News / Peter Kenny)Korean women gather for a photo just before the start of the World Council of Churches 10th Assembly in Busan, South Korea on October 30, 2013. (Photo: Young-kun Park)Presentations are delivered at the Gathering Prayer on the first day of the 10th World Council of Churches Assembly in Busan, South Korea, October 30, 2013. (Photo: Young Kun Park)Presentations are delivered at the Gathering Prayer on the first day of the 10th World Council of Churches Assembly, October 30, 2013 in Busan, South Korea. (Photo: Young Kun Park)The Catholicos of Cilicia. Aram I, delivers a presentation at the Gathering Prayer on the first day of the 10th World Council of Churches Assembly on October 30, 2013 in Busan, South Korea. (Photo: Young-kun Park)The audience stands during presentations at the Gathering Prayer on the first day of the 10th Annual World Council of Churches General Assembly on October 30, 2013. (Photo: Young-kun Park)Presentations are delivered at the Gathering Prayer on the first day of the 10th World Council of Churches Assembly, October 30, 2013. (Photo: Young-kun Park)Participants at the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches converse after presentations are delivered at the Gathering Prayer on October 30, 2013 (Photo: Young-kun Park)Noble J. Matthew (right) of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar speaks with Ecumenical News correspondent Melissa Turpin on the first day of the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, October 30, 2013. (Photo: WCC / Joanna Lindén-Montes)World Council of Churches general secretary, Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, and the moderator, Rev. Walter Altmann, who both delivered reports on the ecumenical movement on the opening day of the WCC 10th assembly in Busan, South Korea on October 30, 2013 (Photo: WCC / Peter Williams)World Council of Churches 10th Assembly at Busan, South Korea. .Korean and overseas Assembly delegates and participants mingle on stage at the end of a Korean historical presentation during the opening ceremony on October 30, 2103. (Photo: WCC / Peter Williams)World Council of Churches General Secretary Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit on the opening day of the 10th WCC Assembly in Busan, South Korea on October 30, 2013. (Photo: Young Kun Park/Ecumenical News)Young people serving as stewards pose during the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Busan, South Korea on October 31, 2013. (Photo: Young Kun Park / Ecumenical News)Young people serving as stewards pose during the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Busan, South Korea on October 31, 2013. (Photo: Ecumenical News /Young Kun Park)People line up to receive documents and audio listening devices during the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Busan, South Korea on October 31, 2013. (Photo: Young Kun Park/Ecumenical News)Participants take photos of other participants prior to a meeting to discuss the theme of the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches on October 31, 2013 in Busan, South Korea. The theme of the assembly is "God of life, lead us to justice and peace." (Photo: Young Kun Park / Ecumenical News)Panelists engage in a discussion on a theme plenary at the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Busan, South Korea on October 31, 2013. The theme of the assembly is "God of life, lead us to justice and peace." (Photo: Young Kun Park / Ecumenical News)H.E. Metropolitan Mor Eustathius Matta Roham (left), and George Jamil Hazou of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East participate in an interview at the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Busan, South Korea on October 31, 2013.