World Vegetarian Day and Jesus the Vegan Christ. By Dr. Chapman Chen

World Vegetarian Day, celebrated on October 1, was established in 1977 by the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS) and later endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union (IVU). The date was chosen to launch Vegetarian Awareness Month (Oct. 1 – Nov. 1), a time to reflect on compassion, health, and sustainability, culminating in World Vegan Day on November 1.

The vision behind this day resonates deeply with the image of Jesus the Vegan Christ—a Christ who declares, “I desire compassion, not sacrifice!” (Matt. 9:13, 12:7; cf. Hosea 6:6). Jesus sits in harmony with cows, lambs, pigs, chickens, and doves, not as their exploiter but as their protector and friend. In such a scene, the dominion of Genesis 1:26 is not domination but loving servanthood, restoring Eden’s peaceable kingdom where none shall hurt or destroy (Isaiah 11:9).

To mark World Vegetarian Day is to affirm this gospel of mercy: to choose life over slaughter, kindness over cruelty, and fellowship over fear. Just as Christ laid down his life for the vulnerable, so too are we called to lay aside our appetite for flesh and blood, that all creatures may flourish.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matt. 5:7)On this day, let us walk in the footsteps of the Compassionate One, embracing a way of living that honours God’s creatures, heals creation, and anticipates the coming peaceable kingdom.

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