On December 9, 2025, the ancient halls of Westminster Abbey echoed with the sounds of Orthodox music and solemn reflection, as King Charles joined senior Christian clerics from both the United Kingdom and the Middle East for a special Advent service. The event, steeped in tradition and hope, was more than just a seasonal gathering; it became a poignant moment of solidarity for persecuted Christians and all those suffering for their faith around the world.
The service, attended by a diverse congregation drawn from churches across the country, set out to celebrate "light, hope, and, above all, the peace of this season," as described in the official foreword by King Charles. According to the BBC, the King, a committed Anglican Christian, wrote, "It is a great joy to gather with you in the most glorious setting of Westminster Abbey as we celebrate the light, hope and, above all, the peace of this season of Advent. This period is one of preparation, of readying ourselves and looking forward to the wonder of Christ’s birth."
But the gathering was not just about anticipation and joy. It was also a space for reckoning with the harsh realities faced by Christians and other religious minorities worldwide. The congregation listened intently as Ribqa Nevash, a young Christian woman originally from Faisalabad, Pakistan, shared her harrowing journey. Having suffered discrimination at school and college and facing threats for her advocacy on behalf of women from religious minorities, Nevash was eventually forced to flee her homeland. Granted asylum in the UK earlier this year, she described how her life had changed: "I need to do a lot of work for all the minorities around the world, to speak for them, I need to raise my voice." She also spoke movingly about being able to openly celebrate Christmas in the UK, something she had to hide in Pakistan.
The service itself was marked by a strong influence of Orthodox music, giving the event a unique and deeply spiritual atmosphere. According to The Guardian, this musical element underscored the unity and diversity of the Christian faith, particularly as clerics representing the Greek, Syriac, and Coptic churches joined their Anglican counterparts in worship and reflection.
Central to the service was an address by Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, who told the story of his friend Pierre Claverie, Bishop of Oran in Algeria. Bishop Claverie, remembered for his efforts to build bridges with the Muslim community, was assassinated at his residence in August 1996. The Cardinal recounted, "All over the world ploughshares are being beaten into swords, violence is escalating from knife crime to war and today traditionally we remember especially those persecuted for their faith. The massive persecution of Christians in so many places, but believers of all faiths are being killed, often by members of other faiths. We see again the hideous rise of antisemitism, many of our Jewish brothers and sisters no longer feel safe."
Cardinal Radcliffe’s words resonated with the congregation, painting a vivid picture of the dangers faced by people of faith in many regions. He described the assassination of Bishop Claverie in stark detail: "When I arrived for the funeral three days later, there was a nun still collecting their remains with a spoon. Hundreds of Muslims came to his funeral. At the end, a young woman stood up and said that, although she was a Muslim, he was her bishop too. And then there was this murmuring filled the cathedral. I said, ‘what did they say?’ – there were hundreds of Muslims saying ‘he was our bishop, he was our bishop too’. And today his tomb is covered with flowers brought by pilgrims, Christian and Muslim. This pointless violence flowered into friendship."
This story, as reported by BBC, illustrated not only the brutality of religious violence but also the potential for reconciliation and shared humanity. The tale of Bishop Claverie, who was hated by extremists for reaching out to Muslims, and who refused to leave Algeria because "no one could leave the bedside of a friend," became a powerful metaphor for the service’s broader message: that hope and peace can arise even in the darkest circumstances.
After the service, King Charles took time to meet with senior clerics representing the Greek, Syriac, and Coptic churches, as well as other bishops and archbishops. He also spoke directly with Mrs. Nevash, expressing support for her journey and her mission to advocate for religious minorities. According to The Times, the King’s presence and his personal engagement with those who have suffered for their faith underscored his longstanding commitment to religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue.
The Advent service came at a time when reports of religious persecution are on the rise globally. According to Open Doors, an organization that tracks the plight of Christians worldwide, millions face discrimination, violence, and even death because of their beliefs. The service at Westminster Abbey sought to shine a light on these injustices while also fostering a spirit of unity and hope among people of all faiths.
For many in attendance, the event was a reminder of the importance of standing together in the face of adversity. The blending of Orthodox musical traditions with the grandeur of the Abbey, the presence of clerics from different denominations, and the testimonies of those like Ribqa Nevash all combined to create a powerful symbol of resilience and shared purpose.
As the Advent season continues, the message from Westminster Abbey reverberates beyond its ancient walls. The stories told and the prayers offered serve as both a call to action and a source of comfort for those who face persecution. The King’s words, the Cardinal’s stories, and Mrs. Nevash’s testimony all point toward a future where, despite ongoing violence and division, the seeds of peace and understanding can still take root.
In a world often riven by conflict and intolerance, the service at Westminster Abbey stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith, courage, and compassion—values that, perhaps now more than ever, the world is in dire need of.
