Johnstown, Pennsylvania, November 10, 2026
acrod.org
For the tenth year running, His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa is asking every household in the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of North America (ACROD) to pray for peace together each night during the Nativity Fast.
In an archpastoral letter dated November 9, Metropolitan Gregory “pleads” with the clergy and laity of the diocese to join him in the challenge, which centers on a special prayer for peace said during evening prayers.
The world is spinning out of control, Metropolitan Gregory writes, with violence, poverty, hatred, drug overdoses, homelessness, theft, and senseless killings all increasing. The conflict in Ukraine continues, and additional petitions and prayers have been offered in all Divine Liturgies from the start. Even so, the struggle continues around the world, and the faithful must intensify their prayers.
During the 40 days leading to the Nativity of the Lord, Metropolitan Gregory asks the faithful to increase their efforts in church attendance, prayer, fasting, scriptural reading, almsgiving, repentance and Confession, and receiving the Eucharist.
The prayer to be read every evening reads:
Lord Jesus Christ, Ruler of Heaven and Earth! After Your Nativity, Magi from the East offered You precious gifts: gold for the King of the ages; frankincense for the God of all; and myrrh for the One Who is immortal, yet came to die upon the Cross for the salvation of the world. As we again prepare to celebrate Your coming in the flesh, cleanse our hearts from all impurity and fill them with Your grace and peace. Just as you accepted the gifts of the Wise Men, likewise accept the gold of our adoration, the frankincense of our prayers, and the myrrh of our charity and good deeds so that, passing through the days of this Holy Season, we may be found worthy to reach the Feast of Your Nativity and sing with the multitude of Angels: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among all people!” Amen.
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