“War is a grave sin before God.” ~ Metropolitan Onuphry of Ukraine
Special Lenten Prayer for Peace in Ukraine At the beginning of Great Lent, the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine, called upon and blessed the faithful to fulfill a special rule of prayer for peace. ~ Western American Diocese
His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany, states that the Russian Orthodox Church is being negatively affected by the fratricidal war in Ukraine, and should be immediately stopped.
When asked, “Should the Russians pull out of Ukraine?” He responded: “Is that a question? Yes, definitely! And completely.”
When asked his view on the war, Metropolitan Mark answers plainly: “I consider this war a crime.”
This Prayer of Supplication was compiled by Metropolitan Onuphry of Ukraine, and is read during Divine Liturgy in our parishes.
Prayer for Peace in Ukraine
O Master, Holder of the whole universe,
Most-merciful Lord, accept our prayers and humble tears, which we offer before Thy Holy Altar in this time of troubles and sorrows for Thy people. Accept the intercessions of all our holy ancestors, whom we implore now for help and protection, so that the light of Thy Love, which shone forth on Thy Cross, enlightens every person suffering in this world, which is engulfed in enmity and injustice. Accept the intercessions of the Holy and Right-believing Prince Vladimir, the baptizer and enlightener of our land; accept the prayers of the Passion-bearers Boris and Gleb, who taught us to refrain from attacking our brothers; accept the intercessions of Saints Anthony and Theodosius and with them all the venerable men and women, who, through tears of repentance, made their souls whiter than snow; accept the martyric struggles of the New Martyrs through whom salvific faith in Thee was preserved for us; accept the petitions of all the Saints of Thy Church, through whose work our land was sanctified. Especially accept the prayerful protection of Thy Most-Holy Mother, our Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, through whose intercession Thy people have many times been spared from all types of enmity and civil strife. Hear us, O God our Saviour, and be merciful, be merciful, O Master, to all those who are suffering and overburdened, and forgive us our debts, thus teaching us to forgive the wrongs of our debtors. Turn away from anger and towards mercy and bring to naught all strife and disorder in the Ukrainian land. For Thou art the only Good and Man-loving God, and to Thee we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.