The Diocese of Alaska announced a week of prayer on the eve of the Putin-Trump summit

The Sitka and Alaska Diocese of the Orthodox Church in America announced a week of special prayer services on the eve of the summit, which will be attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. This was reported on the church's website on August 12.

According to the text of the statement, Bishop Alexy of Sitka and Alaska issued a corresponding pastoral message to the clergy, monasticism and believers about holding a "Three-day Ascent of Intercession." It is specified that prayers will be performed from August 12 to August 14, and the day of prayer will culminate on Friday, August 15, when the leaders of the states will meet.

"We ask our Lord Jesus Christ to guide these speeches with mercy, calm the enmity and stop the shedding of blood. The fact that they [negotiations] are taking place in Alaska is of great importance to us: this land has long been a bridge between Russia and America, spiritually shaped by the Orthodox faith for the first time," Archbishop Alexy is quoted as saying.

It is noted that the diocese has organized services throughout the state, but special services will be held in three important religious places: in front of the relics of St. Olga of Quetluk in Quetluk, in front of the relics of St. Herman of Alaska, including special ones in the Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Kodiak and in front of the Sitka Icon of the Mother of God in St. Michael's Cathedral. in Sitka.

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On August 8, Trump announced a meeting with Putin in Alaska on August 15. The US president noted that details about the upcoming negotiations will be published later. Russian Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov called the choice of a venue for negotiations logical. He said that the economic interests of the states intersect in the region.

Kirill Dmitriev, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), drew attention on August 9 to the date chosen for the Russian-American summit, which coincides with the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in a new style. He noted that this holiday is aimed at mercy and reconciliation.

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