May 18, 2015
On May 14, Metropolitan Hilarion, first hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad directed all parishes of the Eastern diocese to read a thanksgiving prayer on Sunday, May 17 in honor of the 8th anniversary of the Reunification, and to commemorate those who accomplished this great feat—Patriarch Alexey II and Metropolitan Laurus, reported the press service of the Eastern Diocese, ROCOR.
In these parishes, a special prayer for the prosperity of the Russian Church was read:
Prayer for the Prosperity of the Russian Orthodox Church
Lord Jesus Christ our God! Accept from us, Thine unworthy servants, these words of thanksgiving: for Thou hast given unity to the Church of Russia and transformed into joy the greatly painful cry of Thy servants.
Hearken now to our supplication: Bring Thine own labourers unto the harvest, that the Church may not lack good pastors to enlighten so great a multitude of those who have not been taught the Faith or have fallen away therefrom. Instill obedience to Thee in those who govern, and justice and mercy in their judgments; compassion in the rich, and longsuffering in the weak: that in our land, the Kingdom of Christ may thus grow and increase, and that Thou, O God Who art wondrous in Thy saints, may be glorified therein.
Unto those who are led astray by heresies and schisms, who have fallen away from Thee or seek Thee not, show Thyself forth as almighty, that not one of them may perish, but that all of us may be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth: that all, in harmonious oneness of mind and constant love, may glorify Thy most honoured name, O kind and patient-hearted Lord, unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
