February 5, 2014
Appeal by Metropolitan Hilarion for Peace in Ukraine

In light of the violence and civil unrest in Kiev and throughout Ukraine, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, issued the following call for peace and calm:

"As faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church, we cannot remain indifferent to the troubles plaguing Her cradle – the Mother of Russian Cities, Kiev. We call on all of the faithful of the Russian Church Abroad around the world to pray for the cessation of all violence, that God might prevent all bloodshed and speedily restore brotherly love and understanding."

His Eminence further decreed that all parishes and monasteries of the Eastern American Diocese add the following petition to all augmented litanies at Vespers, Matins, and the Divine Liturgy:

"Again we pray Thee, O Almighty Lord, that Thou mightest grant peace to Kiev, the Mother of Russian cities which is shaken by civil strife, and the entire country of Kievan Rus’, and by the power of the grace of Thy Holy Spirit extinguish all enmity and violence therein; O Source of goodness and Abyss of love for mankind, quickly hearken and have mercy."

An printable version for insertion in service books is available here.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese