UOC begins incessant psalm-reading for Ukrainian warriors and peace in Ukraine

In the academic temple of Saint Resurrection a round-the-clock psalm-reading commenced on March 5 in the capital to pray for health of the wounded soldiers and commemorate the dead and veterans of Afghanistan, as well as peace in Ukraine. A UOJ correspondent attended this event.

Incessant psalm-reading in this temple has been performed during the Lent for the second year now upon the initiative of Kiev Theological Academy and All-Ukrainian Union of Afghanistan Veterans. It was said by UOC Chancellor, rector of Kiev schools of theology Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) during his welcome speech to the attendees.

«This Sunday crowns the first week of the Lent,” noted His Eminence. “This is consistent, since on this day we celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy stemming from our inner victories over ourselves. The Lent appears exactly as a period of particular fight with all those shortcomings inherent in us. This fight is particularly important for each Christian due to the fact that we conceive ourselves by virtue of this fight.

Therefore a prayer of each Orthodox Christian, every believer of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is first and foremost a prayer for their homeland, for near ones, relatives and all afflicted at present.

Praying is going to be round-the-clock. A Psalm-book will be read by students, teachers, as well as Afghanistan veterans. Every resident of Kiev can join this prayer – it’s possible. I invoke God’s blessing on each of you for the Lord to strengthen, enable us to pray sincerely and cordially so that our prayers might be heard and our country bestowed peace and well-being,” said the hierarch.

Chairperson of Kiev Municipal Union of Afghanistan Veterans Nikolay Goncharenko remarked that Afghan and ATO warriors who had joined the Union would also do an incessant psalm-reading.

“The All-Ukrainian Union of Afghanistan Veterans is thankful for the blessing, assistance and Lent prayers for those who did not come back from the Afghan war and who sacrificed their lives in the east of Ukraine for the calm and peace in Ukraine. Let us plead the Lord to be granted peace and to stop blood-shedding in the east as soon as possible,” he emphasized.

Metropolitan Anthony pronounced a prayer before psalm-reading and read the first psalm, relayed by the seminarians of theological schools. First year student from Vinnitsa Nazary Shvets shared his feelings with the UOJ correspondent.

“Our generation should learn from the guys our Church is praying for currently. They demonstrated to the world unsurpassed heroism and courage – both Afghan soldiers and those in ATO zone. Let’s pray for their spirit to strengthen and their hearts not to sink, they should never forget about God and know there is a small isle where they are remembered and prayed for.”

During the Lent the Psalm-book will be incessantly read till the beginning of the festive evening divine service on 6th of April – the eve of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin.

Round-the-clock psalm-reading is an old monastery tradition owing to which monks pray for the whole world. Psalm-singing is particularly powerful praying to take place day- and night-long. Besides the service for the alive and dead, they offer prayers with special requests to invoke God’s grace.

Saint Resurrection temple in the memory of fallen soldiers and veterans of Afghanistan will be open for 24 hours throughout the psalm-reading period (Kiev, 17 Lavrskaya St).