Pray for Peace II

Also from Ad Orientem:

"On Saturday, August 9, 2008, late at night, following all-night vigil at the Cathedral of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in San Francisco, CA, a moleben was performed at the relics of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco, which lie uncorrupt in the church, for the cessation of bloodletting and for the increase of love between the Ossetian, Georgian and Russian peoples. Georgian and Ossetian families were in attendance. With tears in their eyes, the worshipers heard the Gospel words on how the Savior gave us a new law: “love one another as I have loved you.” Supplications were intoned for the health and salvation of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II, Katolikos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia, Archbishop Theophanes of Stavropol and Vladikavkaz, all those wounded and exiled and their relatives and all our Orthodox brethren peoples.Also in attendance were Russian and American parishioners. The Cathedral Choir sang. In his sermon, Protopriest Serge Kotar asked that all pray for the establishment of peace. After the moleben, no one wished to depart."

Thanks be to God that here, at least, the peace of Christ reigns. May St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco continue to offer his prayers on behalf of the warring Ossetian, Georgian and Russian peoples.

Pray for Peace

Georgian soldier receives a blessing from an Orthodox priest near the front lines

Courtesy of: Ad Orientem

God's will in creation is that all men be friends. It is built into the fabric of creation, making war a most unnatural abberation of the Father's design. It is especially grievous when combatants are of the same family of faith.

Pray for these two Orthodox Christian countries, one being (Georgia, with Armenia) the oldest Christian nation in the world.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon us and upon our world!

On this feast day of the Dormition/Assumption of the Most Holy Mother of God, let us seek her intercessions on behalf of her warring children, that the peace of her Divine Son may reign in them.

Kyrie Eleison!
Hyperagia Theotokeis, sozon heymas!