Milwaukee, July 17, 2024
Photo: greekcitytimes.com
Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Patriarchate of Constantinople’s Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America offered the invocation at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Monday, July 15.
The GOARCH report notes that Abp. Elpidophoros’ prayer “continues the long-standing, traditional invitation for the Archbishop of America to give an invocation at both Republican and Democratic party conventions prior to the presidential election.”
Recall that the Archbishop offered a prayer at the Democratic National Convention in 2020, but not at the Republican National Convention.
Let us pray to the Lord of All:
Almighty and eternal God: In peace we come before You, and we implore of Your Majesty and Your infinite goodness:
Look down now upon this gathering of our nation’s political leaders, and grant them illumined hearts and minds, as they strive to serve their fellow citizens through this Republican National Convention.
Grant unto the nominee, President Donald J. Trump, and to his advisors and counselors, wisdom, grace, and the spirit of service,
That they may embrace the needs of all Americans, and shine the light of good government upon the venerable institutions of the “world’s best hope” for every person’s life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
Grant unto all the delegates a powerful recognition of destiny and purpose, that they may bear witness to the Divine providence which has shielded this great land through the centuries, and drives us to a more perfect union with one another, ever-building on the labors of those pioneers of patriotism who have gone before us.
Finally, preserve, protect, and defend the servicemen and women who daily safeguard our freedoms, so that in prosperity and tranquility we can worship You, the Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier of the Universe, and be the blessed people whose God is the Lord.
Amen.
The prayer has caused debate online, with some Orthodox Christians criticizing the Archbishop for making no explicit mention or invocation of Christ or the Holy Trinity, and others noting that the RNC is not an Orthodox worship service and not only for Orthodox Christians.
The Roman Catholic Archbishop Jerome Listecki of Milwaukee also offered a prayer, in which he quoted George Washington praying “through Jesus Christ, our Lord.”
Prominent Sikh Republican Harmeet Dhillon closed the first night of the convention with a prayer specifically directed to “Waheguru, our one true God.”
Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
