Patriarch Kirill urged to pray for the advent of a just peace
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has called on believers to pray for peace and justice. He said this on January 6 at the Christmas service at the Cathedral Cathedral Church of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
"May God help us all never lose hope in God, and always remember that where God is, there is strength and there is victory. And if we keep this faith in our Lord and Savior, there will be victories in our lives - in personal, family, social and state life, because where God is, there is victory. Let us ask the Lord to stop the terrible internecine strife on the battlefield, which torments the peoples belonging to the united holy Russia, to the historical Russia," the patriarch said.
He urged the believers to pray for peace and justice to come, as peace without justice is dangerous. According to the patriarch, it is necessary to ask the Lord to shield relatives, friends and the Fatherland from troubles and sorrows.
"And with this hope, let us also enter the new year of God's goodness. And let us hope that his mercy will be with us all. Amen! Happy New Year, my dear brothers and sisters!" said Patriarch Kirill.
On the night of January 7, theChristmas patriarchal service beganin the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Izvestia is broadcasting the event live. The service is conducted by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
Christmas is an important holiday for Christians of all confessions, because it marks the beginning of Christ's earthly life. The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates it on January 7, while the Western Church and a number of local Orthodox churches celebrate it on December 25. Discrepancies in dates arise because the Orthodox use the Julian ("old style") calendar, while Catholics and Protestants use the Gregorian system.
