Season of Creation 2026 begins with global calls for ecological action

The Season of Creation, an ecumenical period of prayer and action, officially commenced on September 1, 2026. Running until the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4, the observance focuses on the theme ‘Living Water,’ inspired by the biblical vision of Ezekiel.

Ecumenical leaders, including Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Leo XIV, have issued urgent calls for ecological conversion. Patriarch Bartholomew warned against a modern ‘anthropotheos’ (human-god) mentality that prioritizes economic growth and consumption at the expense of the planet, describing the current crisis as a failure of ethics and culture. Pope Leo XIV emphasized the link between armed conflict and environmental degradation, urging humanity to ‘forge swords into plowshares’ to protect essential resources like water and air.

Global Christian communities are organizing various initiatives to address climate change and environmental protection. In Australia, the Uniting Church has linked ecological justice with First Nations rights. In Argentina, the movement is highlighting water scarcity and the impact of mining on indigenous communities. The season serves as a call for both spiritual reflection and practical commitment to safeguarding the Earth.