The Parishes of the Russian Church Abroad Pray For the End of Bloodshed in the Caucasus

Written on August 13, 2008 – 12:05 am by admin
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Last Sunday, many parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia raised their prayers for the end of the conflict between the fraternal Orthodox peoples of Russia, South Ossetia and Georgia.

His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany issued an ukase for the parishes of his diocese to pray for Orthodox Christians in the Caucasus and for the restoration of peace in the region.

On August 10, prayers for the increase of love and cessation of bloodshed were made during Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Washington, DC. Parish Rector Protopriest Victor Potapov called the conflict “a terrible, fratricidal tragedy provoked by the enemy of our salvation.” Immediately following a moleben, a pannikhida was performed for the memory of the innocent Orthodox Christian victims killed in the conflict in South Ossetia.

An appeal by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia said “I am aware of the appeal to peace made by His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Iliya of All Georgia. I also make my ardent appeal to those who have gone blind with hatred: stop! Do not let more blood be shed, do not let today’s conflict be expanded many times over! Show common sense and virtue: sit at the negotiation table for talks with respect for the traditions, views and aspirations of both the Georgian and Ossetian peoples. The Russian Church is ready to unite efforts with the Georgian Church and help in achieving peace. May our God, Who ‘is not a God of disorder but of peace’ (1 Cor. 14:33), be our Helper in this endeavor. “

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