Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine

Intercessions

We give thanks for:

• the distinctive icons, art, literature and music that have come from this area
• the faithful witness of churches under the reign of Communism, and their revitalization since then, after decades of official atheism
• all those who help to alleviate the suffering of people due to the Russia's war against Ukraine and who try to counteract and overcome divisions
• those who work for democracy and openness in government.

We pray for:

• guidance, as these nations work to reconfigure political and economic structures
• compassion and integrity for all peoples in these nations with such diverse ethnic histories
• those who suffer from alcoholism, HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and other life-threatening diseases
• the large numbers of people who now live in poverty and are unemployed
• those in Belarus and Ukraine who suffer from the continued effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster
• those who struggle for democracy and truthfulness in the media.

Prayers

Merciful and Holy God! 

You let us know the heavenly joy of your eternal peace, 
which you give in Christ Jesus. 
We tasted the happiness of being with You, 
and saw Your great deeds in our lives. 
O, Lord, but the world remains sinful, wicked, and hostile to You.

We often suffer from helplessness,
because we cannot change the terrible reality in which we live. 
But we see You nearby and now, 
You hear prayers and work miracles. 

Let the name of the Lord Jesus be proclaimed by us everywhere.
Let Your power act in us and through us. 
Let Your eternal Kingdom come. 

In the name of Jesus, our Savior. 
Amen. 

(Rev. Dr. Dmytro Tsolin, Lviv, Ukraine, 12.04.2024)

Christ our God,
sun of righteousness,
by your divine touch
you gave light to the eyes of the blind man
who had been deprived of light since birth.

Enlighten also the eyes of our souls,
and make us sons and daughters of light
so that we cry out to you in faith:
great and beyond words is your compassion towards us!

Loving Lord, glory to you!

(Vesper Hymn, Sunday of the Blind Man. In: Let us pray to the Lord, A collection of prayers from the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox traditions © 1996 WCC)

Prayer before supper

The poor shall eat and be satisfied, 
and those who seek the Lord shall praise him; 
their hearts shall live forever! 
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, 
now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Lord, have mercy! (3 times)

O Christ God, bless the food and drink of thy servants, 
for thou art holy, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

(Orthodox tradition. www.stvladimirs.ca)

Song