Sweden’s Peace Road Recalls Century-old Spirit of Ecumenism
- khwang562
- Aug 24
- 1 min read
Stockholm, Sweden – Peace Road Sweden 2025, held on August 24, 2025 in Stockholm, coincided with the centennial commemoration of an ecumenical conference organized in 1925 by the pioneering peacemaker Archbishop Nathan Söderblom. Throughout that week, Sweden hosted various nationwide activities to mark the 100-year anniversary of the Universal Christian Conference on Life and Work, which brought together 600 international religious leaders to foster unity and understanding after World War I.
The Peace Road event commenced at Ersta Kyrka, the historic church in Stockholm where Nathan Söderblom was ordained as a priest. This location also was visited by UPF co-founder Rev. Sun Myung Moon in 1965, adding a layer of spiritual significance to the starting point.
A group of 45 participants assembled at Ersta Church for a walk that would take them through central Stockholm. The route followed Skeppsbron, a well-known waterfront promenade lined with historic buildings and offering views of the Baltic Sea, leading to Skeppsholmen, a small island in the city known for its cultural and historical landmarks.
Upon reaching Skeppsholmen, the participants took a break to share coffee and homemade cookies and pastries.
Peace Road Sweden 2025 was a structured initiative aimed at promoting peace through collective action and reflection. The event aligned with the week’s broader national celebrations, which highlighted Sweden’s ongoing commitment to fostering dialogue and cooperation across diverse communities.
The locations along the route – Ersta Kyrka, Skeppsbron, and Skeppsholmen – were deliberately chosen for their historical and symbolic significance, reinforcing the connection to the visions of both Archbishop Söderblom and Rev. Moon.
