Moscow, September 5, 2025
фондкругдобра.рф
The Russian Orthodox Church has designated October 1 as an annual day of special prayers for children with severe illnesses and their parents.
The date coincides with the feast of the icon of the Mother of God the Healer, and will see prayers offered in all Russian Orthodox churches for sick children and their families. His Holiness Patiarch Kirill has ordered the creation of a special liturgical service for the healing of children with serious illnesses, which will be included in the Church calendar, reports the Circle of Kindness Foundation.
The initiative came at the request of Archpriest Alexander Tkachenko, head of the Circle of Kindness Foundation, a state fund established in 2021 to provide medical support for children with severe and rare diseases. The Patriarch also blessed the icon of the Mother of God the Healer at Moscow’s St. Alexei Convent as the patron icon of the foundation.
His Eminence Metropolitan Ambrose of Tver and Kashin, commenting on the decision, said: “It’s wonderful that His Holiness the Patriarch has blessed the creation of a special order of prayer for the healing of children going through serious illnesses and for their parents. The Church has always given special attention to children’s needs, and now this prayer will become a common work of our entire Church.”
He added that the new liturgical service would help answer a frequent question from parents: “This decision is especially important for parents, who often ask how to pray for a child who finds himself in trouble. Now this opportunity will be given through the collective prayer of the whole Church, which means the support will be incomparably stronger.”
The Circle of Kindness Foundation, established by presidential decree, is funded through increased taxes on Russians earning more than 5 million rubles annually. It has provided assistance to nearly 30,000 children over almost five years, purchasing innovative medicines, medical devices, and funding high-tech operations, including those not registered in Russia.
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