Hundreds gathered in the Trinity Church in Oslo, Norway on December 9 for an ecumenical prayer for peace, in connection with the annual Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.

Convened by the Christian Council of Norway and Church of Norway, the service saw participation by people from all walks of life, including many international guests, and featured lively dance and music, as well as a candlelight ceremony.

“It is deeply meaningful to gather in prayers for peace in connection with the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony… But it is always with an undertone of sorrow that we mark these prizes. Because they also conirm that the world remains a place of war and conlict,” said the Church of Norway’s presiding bishop, Helga Haugland Byfuglien, in her sermon. (WCC)