Framework for Tabor 2025, Ecumenical Jubilee Summit, Finalised at Chennai Meet

Chennai, Dec 5, 2025: A major planning meeting for Tabor 2025, the ecumenical Jubilee summit, was held on Thursday at the Jesus Calls campus in Chennai, bringing together principal leaders from various Christian denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, CSI, Pentecostal communities and other ministries. Chaired by Fr. Benadict, Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council – Commission for Ecumenism, the session focused on finalising the strategic, logistical and pastoral arrangements for the event scheduled for December 29, 2025.

The gathering was marked by a strong spirit of ecumenical collaboration, reflecting Christ’s prayer for unity in John 17:2. Leaders discussed the vision of Tabor 2025 as an interdenominational encounter of faith, reflection and renewal.

Tabor 2025 is expected to welcome around 7,000 Christian faithful from diverse traditions. The event will bring together children referred to as “Darlings of Jesus,” youth known as “Friends of Jesus,” laity described as “Disciples of Jesus,” and ministers identified as consecrated servants of Jesus. The Ministers’ section will deliberate on the theme “Christianity: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” Leaders affirmed that the reflections arising from Tabor 2025 will continue until 2033, in preparation for the 2000th anniversary of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection.

Theological and Historical Foundation

The committee highlighted the event’s spiritual grounding in the biblical account of the Transfiguration, where the Father proclaims, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to Him!” The tradition linking Mount Tabor to the Transfiguration—attested since the 3rd century by Origen and recognised by St. Cyril of Jerusalem and St. Jerome—was noted as a key inspiration for the initiative. The event also commemorates the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325 AD), lending it significant ecclesial depth.

Venue & Operations

Leaders finalised the venue distribution for the four participant groups. Ministry heads will gather at the St. Thomas Mount National Shrine Basilica, children at St. Dominic’s Anglo-Indian Girls Higher Secondary School, elders and laity at St. Thomas Academy (CBSE), and youth at Montfort Matriculation Higher Secondary School. The structured allocation aims to ensure smooth movement, pastoral care and safety for all attendees.

The meeting also reviewed speaker selection, interdenominational coordination, transportation routes and food distribution logistics.

Responsibilities for each operational area were assigned to respective leaders to ensure efficient execution.

Press Conference and Public Invitation

The session concluded with a formal press conference led by Bishop Lawrence Pius and other ministry heads. They presented the vision, purpose and structure of Tabor 2025, extending a warm invitation to Christian communities across Tamil Nadu and beyond. The announcement marks the beginning of the public mobilisation phase, with organisers expressing hope that Tabor 2025 will become a milestone of unity, renewal and shared Christian witness.

By Fr. Ritchie Vincent

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