Given the political division that the mainstream narrative is trying to thrust into the midst of the Church, and the blatant discrimination in the name of a so-called tolerance, I wish to direct anyone who has questions about our stance on the fratricidal war in Ukraine, as well as the tragic conflict in the Holy Land, to this statement from our Holy Synod in New York.
We in the Church abroad abhor the violence, death and injustices on both sides of the war. The Orthodox Church condemns the taking of a life, no matter the reason. There is always a period of penance and mourning that must be undertaken by anyone who has taken a life either due to a wrathful passion, or even in war and defence. Life is given by God and it is His to take away, and we mustn’t ever think ourselves in the position to judge one life as lesser than another. Nor should we foster a hatred for a group of people based on geopolitical matters.
We will be offering a litany and a prayer for peace in both the Holy Land and Ukraine at the appropriate time in the liturgy. In addition to the prayers offered by the priest in the liturgy for Ukraine and the Holy Land, as rector of this parish, I encourage everyone to add these prayers to your daily devotions for peace in Ukraine and the Holy Land.
Prayer to the Lord
O Lord, Lover of mankind, King of the ages and Giver of good things: having destroyed the divisions of enmity and grant peace unto the human race, grant even now peace unto Thy servants, planting within them the fear of Thee and establishing them in love for one another.
Quench all strife, and remove all dissensions and temptations; for Thou art our peace and to Thee do we offer up glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages, Amen.
To the Most Holy Theotokos, Before Her Icon "The Softener of Evil Hearts"
O much sorrowing Mother of God, more highly exalted than all other of the daughters of the earth, according to thy purity and the multitude of thy suffering endured by thee on earth:
Hearken to our sighs and soften the hearts of evil men, and protect us under the shelter of thy mercy.
For we know no other refuge and ardent intercessor apart from thee, but as thou hast great boldness before the One Who was born of thee, help and save us by thy prayers, that without offense we may attain the Heavenly Kingdom where, with all the saints, we will sing the thrice-holy hymn to One God Almighty in the Trinity, always now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
May our Lord and Saviour bring peace to Ukraine and to the Middle East. That they may heal and be restored to peace.
-Rev. Mikhail Baleka.
Rector of Dormition of the Holy Theotokos, Lethbridge AB.
https://www.russianorthodoxchurch.ws/synod/eng2023/20231211_ensynodepistle.html
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