His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel has recommended special petitions and prayers for peace that can be included in church services and private prayer.

The texts have been proposed by the Liturgical Books Department of the Publishing House of the Romanian Patriarchate. They will be submitted to the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church for approval.

These special petitions can be added to the Great Litany:

For the uprooting of hatred, enmity and the desire for domination from the hearts of those who oppress the innocent, to bring among them unfeigned love, concord and peaceful co-existence, and put an end to war, disturbance and human suffering, let us pray to the Lord.

That He may deliver the oppressed from distress by the onslaught of armies, and turn the oppressors from evil and lead them to peace and love, so that no one may perish, and that peace may reign on earth, unto the joy of His Church and people, let us pray to the Lord.

The following petitions can be added to the Litany of Fervent Supplication:

Weeping with tears, mourning and deep sorrow has come upon us, O Lord, because of the suffering brought by war to our fellow people. Therefore, to You, our God, with humble hearts we cry: Stop, as a merciful One, this suffering, and let the fear that has gripped us be unto our repentance, and deliver us all from every injustice, oppression and persecution, that we may live in peace according to Your will. We pray to You, Who are swift to help and firm in defence, hearken and have mercy on us.

Look down from the height of Your holy dwelling, O Lord our God, and, as a good Friend of human beings, see the danger of death that threatens Your people, and come quickly and bring them out of all oppression and humiliation. Stop the war that destroys lives and homes, give repentance to the oppressors, comfort the afflicted, guide the wandering, and plant peace and blessing in the hearts of Your servants. We pray to You, hearken and have mercy on us.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Who are the Source of life and peace in heaven and on earth, pour out the grace of Your peace on a world troubled by war and hatred.

Quench the disagreements and enmity between humans and pour into the hearts of all humbleness, peace and goodness. Calm the warriors and give them wisdom.

Give help to the suffering, protection to the refugees or homeless, comfort to the estranged and sorrowful, and give us all the will and strength to help, wholeheartedly, our brothers and sisters who suffer from war.

You said: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Teach us to seek to acquire peace of heart and peace among individuals and peoples, for, in the heart in which peace dwells, there is no longer enmity, love of dominion or fear, but the comfort of the Holy Spirit, love of God and love of our neighbours.

For this we humbly pray to You, O Christ our God, for peace among human beings in every country, for peace among peoples, and for the welfare of the whole world, that we may live in harmony and may work without hindrance deeds pleasing to You, glorifying the philanthropic love of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Photography courtesy of Basilica.ro Files / Mircea Florescu