Ukraine, February 25, 2022
Photo: pravlife.org
Molebens for peace are being held in all churches and monasteries of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and the clergy are calling upon the faithful to increase their prayers for peace and mutual understanding, and for the health and strength of the military, doctors, and all defenders of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s Information-Education Department has compiled statements and videos from a number of hierarchs and dioceses.
His Eminence Metropolitan Barsanuphius of Vinnitsa has blessed to read a prayer for peace every day at 9:30 PM with 12 prostrations:
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, destroyer of the bulwark of enmity, Who hast granted true peace to Thy people, Who hast called peacemakers the sons of God! We pray unto Thee: bless those who seek after true peace and do labor for its sake. Do Thou enlighten the minds and hearts of all who embark upon this path of God-pleasing peace. Make wise those in power, and strengthen the will of the rulers of our people; enlighten their minds that with wisdom, discernment, and great care they might labor for the creation of this longed-for peace. By the grace of Thine All-Holy Spirit, do Thou grant that peace might be worked in all people, not only on our lips, but in very deed; that orphans and widows might be comforted, that they might no longer weep, but rejoice, beholding this awaited peace. Soften the hearts of the embittered, and grant that they might in meekness seek after harmony and love. Bless all men, teaching them to fathom and fulfill Thy will for the salvation, love, peace, and unity of all men. Send down Thy Heavenly blessing upon our Ukrainian land, upon the authorities, the armed forces, and all its people, through the intercessions of Thy Most Blessed Mother and all Thy saints. For Thou art the King of Peace, and Thy peace is without end, and to Thee do we send up glory, thanksgiving, and worship, with Thine Unoriginate Father, and Thine All-Holy, Good, and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
In the Odessa Diocese, His Eminence Metropolitan Agafangel has established the round-the-clock reading of Akathists for peace before the Kasperov Icon of the Mother of God at the Holy Dormition Cathedral, and prayers are to be offered in all churches throughout the diocese. The diocese has also called on all faithful to offer up prayers at 10:00 PM.
Photo: news.church.ua
In Kamensk, the Akathist to St. Nicholas will be read every morning at 7:00 AM, and the Akathist to the Tikhvin Icon of the Motherof God during the day at the St. Nicholas Cathedral.
His Eminence Metropolitan Philaret of Nova Kakhovka has called upon his clergy to celebrate the Divine Liturgy as often as possible during this time.
“Let every believer’s morning begin not with watching the news feed, but with the Sign of the Cross and dedicating yourself and the upcoming day to God. Let the day pass not in exhausting anticipation about what else has happened, but in humble prayer,” he urged the faithful, blessing them to read Psalm 90 every evening at 9:00 PM with 12 prostrations.
The same calls and services are occurring in all dioceses throughout Ukraine.
The outlet Orthodox Life has also gathered the appeals of more than a dozen Ukrainian hierarchs to their clergy, monastics, and laity.
OrthoChristian earlier reported that all Kiev churches are open for shelter in the case of shelling or bombing, and all dioceses and monasteries are organizing comprehensive assistance to refugees and victims.
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