EUROPASSION – A Shared Sign for Peace

Christian Foundation

Passion plays are shaped by the central message of Jesus Christ: love, reconciliation, hope, mercy, and moral courage. Jesus himself calls us:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
(Matthew 5:9)

This perspective is shared by the Christian churches. Pope John XXIII formulates:

“Peace on earth can be firmly established only if it is grounded in truth, justice, love and freedom.”
(Pope John XXIII, Encyclical Pacem in Terris, No. 167, 1963)

The Protestant tradition particularly emphasizes human responsibility:

“Peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of justice.”
(ecumenical and Protestant peace ethics)

The Orthodox Church adds:

“Peace is the fruit of justice, love and reconciliation.”
(The Mission of the Orthodox Church in Today’s World, Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church, Crete 2016)

Peace as a Shared Responsibility

Peace is a central concern of our time – worldwide, in Europe and in the self-understanding of EUROPASSION. The United Nations formulates this responsibility in the Sustainable Development Goal:

“Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.”
(UN Sustainable Development Goal 16)

Peace is understood here as the foundation for a just and stable society. The European Union also places peace at the center of its work:

“The Union’s aim is to promote peace, its values and the well-being of its peoples.”
(Art. 3(1) Treaty on European Union)

The promotion of peace is also anchored in the statutes of EUROPASSION:

“Promotion of a culture of the rule of law, peace among peoples, nonviolence and unarmed defense.”
(Statutes of EUROPASSION, Art. 3)

Peace Through Encounter

EUROPASSION lives out the mission of peace through encounters between people from different countries, cultures and traditions. This diversity is part of our network and an expression of the European idea. This mission becomes visible:

• through encounters between our groups
• through cooperation across borders
• through shared cultural exchange

Peace does not arise in the abstract, but through concrete relationships between people. Yet the message of Jesus does not end with ourselves. It challenges us to look beyond our own communities. Today, millions of people around the world are in danger – through war, persecution, displacement and social injustice. This reality confronts us as a community with a central question:

If we see that people are in danger – is it enough to live peace only within our own circle?
Or are we not called to take responsibility beyond it?

The message of the Passion invites us not to remain passive, but to show conviction and courage – for peace, for humanity and for those whose voices are often unheard. Thus, encounter becomes a mission:
to pray for peace, to courageously demand it and to actively build it – locally, in Europe and in responsibility for our fellow human beings worldwide.

21 September – International Day of Peace - Day of Action

21 September has been designated by the United Nations (UN) as the International Day of Peace worldwide. It invites people and communities to actively give a sign for peace. EUROPASSION invites all member groups to carry out a simple peace action on 21 September.

• A simple action on site
• On the same day across Europe
• Make it visible and share it

Example - A moment of peace

• Choose a place (church, stage, public space)
• Light a candle
• Speak an introduction
• Observe a moment of silent reflection
• Conclude with a prayer

Introduction

“Today, on the International Day of Peace, we pause together. We think of those who suffer from war, fear and injustice.”

Prayer

God of peace,
we pray for all people who live in fear.
Strengthen the weak, comfort those who suffer
and move the hearts of all towards peace.

Give us the courage to live peace ourselves,
and grant us the strength to call for peace –
where we ourselves can do little
or feel powerless.

Open our eyes to the suffering of others
and strengthen our hearts to take responsibility.

Amen.

Conclusion

“Peace begins in us.”

Example: A Sound Signal

On 21 September at 6:00 PM, the groups of EUROPASSION set a shared audible sign for peace. This sound signal is rooted in an international tradition: On the International Day of Peace, the United Nations rings the Peace Bell each year – a symbol of the global commitment to peace. Across Europe, churches and public institutions also ring their bells on this day, often at the same time, as a shared sign of peace and unity.

EUROPASSION embraces this tradition and connects the actions of its groups into a common European signal. Through this sound, we are connected with people across Europe and beyond – across borders, languages and cultures.

• Time: 6:00 PM CEST
• Duration: 1–3 minutes
• Church bells, gong, singing bowl, Music, singing together, making music or clapping a simple rhythm
• Share it

Announcement

“On this International Day of Peace, we set a shared sign.
At 6:00 PM we join many places across Europe that stand for peace at the same time.”

Conclusion

“Through this sound, we are connected with people across Europe.
Peace is possible – if we desire it, demand it and live it together.”

Visibility

The contributions should be:

• Shared on the groups’ social media
• Sent to EUROPASSION (peace@europassion.eu) or shared together with EUROPASSION on social media

In this way, individual actions are connected and many small actions together create a shared European sign for peace.

Peace Initiatives

In addition to the day of action, groups may implement further initiatives. Some examples:

1. Artists for Peace

Creative expression of peace within the groups. Participants in the Passion plays see themselves as artists for peace and develop their own contributions:

• texts, prayers, poems
• images or artistic installations
• videos or scenes

Guiding questions:

• What message do we want to share?
• What do we stand for as a group?

The goal is to make peace visible through creativity.

2. Signs for Peace

A visible sign in public space.

• Banners or posters
• Artistic installations
• Design of church or urban spaces

The goal is to make peace visible and tangible in everyday life.

3. Courage for Peace

A photo. A stance – inspired by the Passion. This initiative connects groups and visitors and is especially suitable for foyers, intermissions or meeting spaces.

Pick a prop: Each prop represents an attitude from the Passion:

• Wooden cross – Simon of Cyrene: bearing together
• Red cloth – Veronica: moral courage
• Rooster – Peter: failure and new beginning
• Roman helmet – centurion: change of heart
• Palm branch – part of the crowd: taking a stand
• Blank sign – your own message

Pick a text: Make a personal decision “What do you stand up for today?”

• 1–3 words
• no explanation
• handwritten

Take a photo:

• portrait format
• upper body and face visible
• looking at the camera
• prop and text clearly visible
• calm, dignified posture

The action lives from keeping explanations minimal and creating space for personal reflection.

A collection of personal peace portraits then become visible as a shared European sign.

Shared Impact

Through the combination of simple actions on 21 September and further local initiatives, a Europe-wide network of lived peace-building emerges.

Peace is not a state, but a task that must be renewed again and again and concerns each individual.

Peace:
begins in us.
becomes visible among us.
and unites Europe.

Contact

For further questions and submissions contact us at peace@europassion.eu

Imprint

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