Between 22 and 24 August 2025, Sweden hosted three notable events commemorating the centenary of the 1925 Stockholm Conference: a service at the Philadelphia Pentecostal Church, an ecumenical gathering at Stockholm Cathedral with the King and Queen, and a grand liturgy at Uppsala Cathedral. This anniversary also acknowledged the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea (325).
These celebrations connected the themes of Nicaea and Stockholm: Nicaea unified the Church with a shared faith amid rising heresies, while Stockholm advanced the ecumenical movement centered on Jesus Christ. A century later, Nathan Söderblom, Archbishop of Uppsala and the 1925 conference initiator, remains relevant. The events were part of an ecumenical week themed “Time for God’s Peace,” with around sixty contributions.
The 1925 Conference happened in a Europe recovering from World War I. The mission envisioned at the 1910 Edinburgh Conference to spread the Gospel globally was challenged by the war among Christian nations. Söderblom emphasized unity through a common mission for peace and justice, stating, “Unity progresses when we come together for a common task.”
King Gustav V of Sweden highlighted peace beginning in individual hearts during the conference. A cathedral plaque commemorates his words: “It is in the hearts of men that the foundation of peace and mutual trust must be laid, both within society itself and between peoples.” Söderblom added, “Christ’s demands and example make us courageous and humble. Perfect love casts out fear.” These ideas formed the foundation of the Life and Work movement focused on Christ’s peace and justice, influencing the World Council of Churches (WCC).
In 2025, Swedish churches and international delegates celebrated this legacy. The Philadelphia Pentecostal Church event featured diverse spiritual expressions, emphasizing inclusivity, with participants with disabilities singing to illustrate belonging to the Body of Christ.
Jan Eckerdal, a Lutheran theologian from the Christian Council of Sweden, noted the 1925 conference began as a confession of sin. Post-war, repentance was crucial and remained so during the celebrations. British Reformed theologian Susan Durber, a WCC president, stressed the need for a humble Church serving a world seeking meaning. Swedish Pentecostal Ulrike Josefson spoke of Christians’ duty to witness reconciliation in a conflicted world.
The central message of 1925 was “It is time for God’s peace,” during the first Protestant and Orthodox leaders’ meeting. Lutheran Archbishop Martin Modeus, Church of Sweden moderator, highlighted Söderblom’s prophetic call to transform war’s destructive fire into justice and peace. Entering “the time of God’s peace” remains the Church’s call today, as nations aspire to “beat their swords into ploughshares” (Isaiah 2:4).
WCC general secretary Jerry Pillay recalled Söderblom’s Nobel Peace Prize and underscored the Church’s role in peace promotion. The challenges of 1925, such as inequality, arms races, and migration, are still relevant, now joined by climate change, AI, and digital media issues. Christians must unite against human rights violations, bearing witness to God’s justice and love.
Bartholomew, Patriarch of Constantinople, emphasized resisting threats to human life, advocating peace beginning in the heart with love, silence, and prayer. He quoted a Church Father: “If you make peace with yourself, then heaven and earth will make peace with you.”
In Uppsala, a call for peace and reconciliation was read during a Lutheran service, stating: “Every person is created in the image of God, which is why we cannot remain silent when they are violated.”
The celebrations renewed prayers for Christ’s peace, expressed in a prayer accompanying the week:
God of life,
In You there is always a time for peace.
Come with peace where wars are raging.
Come with comfort to those who mourn.
Come with hope where faith falters.
Come with strength where powerlessness prevails.
Reveal to the world,
Your path of justice and peace.
Help us create spaces
where the peace of Christ may reign.
Photo: In the Philadelphia Church, Stockholm (Photo Hillert, WCC)
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