Creationtide or the Season of Creation
This is the period in the annual church calendar, from 1st September to 4th October, dedicated to God as Creator and Sustainer of all life.
Many churches choose to use this time of year to hold special services and events to give thanks for God's gift of creation, and to renew their commitment to caring for our one planet home.
Creationtide, now more commonly known as the Season of Creation, is a concept introduced by the late Ecumenical Patriarch, Demetrios I, 1989. Since then, September 1 (chosen because it is first day of the Orthodox ecclesiastical year) has been adopted as the start of Creationtide. This is the season, running to St Francis day on October 4, when churches and congregations are called to pay special attention to the responsibility of humanity for the Earth and for all that lives upon it. Its start and end dates reflect that it is a shared idea between Western and Eastern Christianity.
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland adopted the concept in 2008. In 2016, Pope Francis declared 1 September an annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creationtide.
While its adoption was in part driven by the complex environmental crises the human race faces, the Season of Creation draws on much deeper roots in Scripture and in older Christian traditions of the relationship between God, humanity and the created order.
The timing of the Season of Creation means it is an excellent way of rooting traditional harvest festivals in wider issues and firm theological ground.
Living Water
The theme for the Season of Creation 2026 is living water, based on Ezekiel 47:1-12. God’s life-giving water flows from the temple of God, growing deeper, restoring barren land, reviving waters, and sustaining flourishing ecosystems.
The vision invites human responsibility: recognising ecological damage, embracing interconnectedness, we are called to immerse ourselves in the water, and actively safeguarding and working for the renewal of creation so that environmental healing and human well-being may flourish together.
How to get involved
Season of Creation
The symbol for the Season of Creation 2026 is a church surrounded by water.
The call is for transformation – that Christians would be immersed in the living water flowing from the throne of God- stepping in deeper and deeper, inspired by the Spirit of God, working together for the renewal of Creation.
Find out moreEco Church
The Eco Church scheme is a great way to get all parts of your church life working to care for creation. It helps you to engage practically and spiritually, with people in your church and the community beyond.
This Season, why not fill in the Eco Church survey and see how close you are to winning an award.
Sign up hereChurch service resources
We've gathered together lots of material to help your church or Christian community mark the Season of Creation.
As well as several orders of service, you will also find prayers, vigils and reflections to create your own celebration or event.
Download resourcesYou can find out more about how to take action on environmental issues on our Environment Programme page. To keep in touch, sign up to the monthly newsletter.