Moleben for Peace

Deacon: Master Bless!

Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever and to the ages! 

Reader: Amen.

O Heavenly King, the Comforter and Spirit of Truth, present everywhere and filling everything, Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life: Come and abide in us, grant purity of heart, and save us, O Good One! 

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us! Thrice

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. 

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. Thrice

Glory, now and ever.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 

Priest: For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Reader: Amen.

Lord, have mercy. Twelve times

O come, let us adore our God and King!

O come, let us adore Christ our God and King!

O come, let us adore and fall down before the same Lord Christ, our God and King!

Psalm 139 (140)

Deliver me, Lord, from the wicked; preserve me from the violent, from those who plan evil in their hearts, who stir up conflicts every day, who sharpen their tongues like serpents, venom of asps upon their lips. Keep me, Lord, from the clutches of the wicked; preserve me from the violent, who plot to trip me up. The arrogant have set a trap for me; villains have spread a net, laid snares for me by the wayside. I say to the Lord: You are my God; listen Lord, to the words of my prayer, my revered Lord, my strong helper, my helmet on the day of battle. Lord, do not grant the desires of the wicked; do not let their plots succeed. Around me they raise their proud heads; may the mischief they threaten overwhelm them. May God rain burning coals upon them, cast them into the deep never more to rise. Slanderers will not survive on earth; evil will quickly entrap the violent. For I know the Lord will secure justice for the needy, rights for the poor. Then the just will give thanks to your name; the upright will dwell in your presence.

Psalm 75 (76)

In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel. In the City of Peace also is His tabernacle, and His dwelling place in Zion.There He broke the arrows of the bow, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Glorious are you, more majestic than the everlasting mountains. The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil; they sank into sleep; none of the troops was able to lift a hand. At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse were cast into a deep sleep. You indeed are awesome and who may stand in Your presence when once You are roused? You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth trembled and was still, when God arose to judgment to deliver all the oppressed of the earth. Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; the remnant of that wrath You will gird about and restrain from evil. Make vows to the Lord your God, and pay them; let all who are around Him bring presents to Him who ought to be feared.

He shall cut off the spirit of princes; He is fearsome to the kings of the earth.

Glory, now and ever. 

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glory to You O God. Thrice

God is the Lord

Deacon or Reader: God is the Lord, and has appeared to us. Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord.

Choir: God is the Lord, and has appeared to us. Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord.

Reader: O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.

Choir: God is the Lord…

Reader: Surrounding me they compassed me, and by the name of the Lord I warded them off.

Choir: God is the Lord…

Reader: This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who for us humans and for our salvation came down from Heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became human. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And the third day He arose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spoke by the prophets. In one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. I long for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen.

Great Litany of Peace

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. 

People: Lord, have mercy

Deacon: For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls.

People: Lord, have mercy

Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, the welfare of the holy churches of God, and the union of all.  

People: Lord, have mercy

Deacon: For this holy house and for those who enter with faith, reverence and the fear of God. 

People: Lord, have mercy

Deacon: For this city, for every city and country, and for the faithful dwelling in them. 

People: Lord, have mercy

Deacon: For seasonable weather, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times.

People: Lord, have mercy

Deacon: For travelers by land, by sea, by air, and through space, for the sick and the suffering, for captives and their salvation.

People: Lord, have mercy 

Deacon: That we may be cleansed of our sins and transgressions which have dried up in us love for God and for our neighbor, and that it may be established and rooted in all our hearts by the power, action, and grace of the Most-holy Spirit.

People: Lord, have mercy 

Deacon: That there may be planted and rooted in us by the grace of the Most-Holy Spirit the new commandment of His New Testament: that we love one another, and not merely satisfy ourselves, but rather always strive for His glory and the building-up of our neighbor.

People: Lord, have mercy

Deacon: That there may be uprooted in us hatred, envy and jealousy and all other passions which destroy brotherly love, and that there may be planted unfeigned love.

People: Lord, have mercy

Deacon: That there may be kindled in us the fervent love of God and our neighbor by the grace of the Most-Holy Spirit, and thus burn out to the very roots the passions of all our souls and bodies.

People: Lord, have mercy 

Deacon: That there may be uprooted in us the passions of self-love, and rooted instead the virtue of brotherly love by the power of the Most-Holy Spirit.

People: Lord, have mercy 

Deacon: That we may not love the world and that which is in the world, but rather have true love for God and for the glory of God, and that we may love that which is profitable and for the salvation of our neighbor, so that we may ever gaze on the good things prepared in heaven, and that we may seek these with all our souls.

People: Lord, have mercy

Deacon: That we may truly love, not just our friends and family, but following our Lord’s command our enemies, too, and do good to those who hate us, with the power, action, and grace of the Most-Holy Spirit moving us.

People: Lord, have mercy

Deacon: That we may examine and humble ourselves before God and before everyone, never judging our brothers and sisters, but loving them as our very self, by the power, action, and grace of the Most-Holy Spirit.

People: Lord, have mercy 

Deacon: That we may imitate the burning love of the Christian in ancient times for God and neighbor, and be their heirs and successors, not only in image, but in true action, by the power, action, and grace of the Most-Holy Spirit.

People: Lord, have mercy

Deacon: That God may keep us immovable in the True Faith, in peace and the unity of burning love, increasing in all virtues, and preserve us unharmed from all soul-corrupting passions, by the power, action and grace of the Most-Holy Spirit.

People: Lord, have mercy

Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Your grace.

People: Lord, have mercy

Deacon: Commemorating our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

People: To You, O Lord

Troparia (Tone 3)

Choir: O God, In Whom is wisdom, power, and peace, Enlighten our minds each day to Your will for us, and grant us the power to carry it out, That we may be preserved in Your peace and tranquility all the days of our life.

Glory...

O Holy Spirit, Who is health, joy, and beauty in all things, Who created all things alive and breathing, United and whole, Show us the way of peace that is Your overwhelming presence, And grant to all people the cup of overflowing love.

Now and ever...

O Queen of Peace, Our defender-general, Tear down the dividing wall of enmity between all people, And be quick to free us from the rule Of those who do violence to us and to others. O you that gave birth to the One Who unites the human race as a family, Who Himself became our peace, Make us all to be one body Under your holy protection.

Prokeimenon 

Reader: They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.

Choir: They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.

Reader: Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Micah 4:3)

Choir: They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.

Reader: They shall beat their swords into plowshares, 

Choir: And their spears into pruning hooks.

A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans

Brethren, bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Do not repay evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Thrice.

A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew

The Lord said, "You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, 'Raqa,' will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna.

“You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

“You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun to rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

The Priest then says one or both of the following:

First Priestly Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, our God, You said to Your disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” We come before You in humility and ask that Your peace which surpasses all understanding will descend upon all people around the world, especially those currently in conflict and at war.

Increase understanding and forgiveness between nations. Awaken the longing for a peaceful life in all those who are filled with hatred for their neighbor. Extinguish every dispute and banish all temptations to disagreement. Grant wisdom to civil authorities. Free those held captive, protect those in danger, and comfort those who are suffering and displaced.

Implant in all of us reverence for You, and confirm us in love for one another. Make us to celebrate with the angels in chanting: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men”.

For You are the King of Peace and the Savior of our souls and to You we give glory together with Your eternal Father and Your most-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Second Priestly Prayer

O Lord our God, the Prince of peace, we Your servants now come before You imploring that the seeds of Your peace be cultivated between nations, in individual relationships, and especially in the disquietude of our own hearts.

We ask you, Who forbade Your disciples from killing and from being angry with their brothers and sisters to free us from all of our malicious intentions. Help us, through your divine empowerment, to turn the other cheek to those who hurt us physically and emotionally, and to love and pray for our enemies who have harmed us and those we love.

O Lord, when you commanded your disciple to put away his sword, you showed him the way of peace, and paved the way for the martyrs by choosing death over violence. As you closed the eyes of your servant Paul to violence and reopened them to the way of peace, close now the eyes of all nations and people to violent ways, and re-open them to the building up of Your kingdom. Calm the raging waters of our global and national politics, as you calmed the waters for Your disciples, that they might no longer be afraid, knowing Your power, benevolence, and nearness.

Raise all of your children in gentleness and understanding, and free us from all bondage to evil intentions, addictions, depression, shame, heartache, and all mental, emotional, and spiritual ailments, replacing these with Your light burden and Your easy yoke. Come be the fulfillment of the desires that turn our souls to every kind of false god, that being assured of Your presence, we may build up each other and the world around us in Your love.

Give us a true peace that does not end with the absence of conflict, but rather rejoices in the beauty of all things, motivates us to live in harmony with our neighbors, and waters the seeds of love for our enemies. Show us all to be truly the children of You, Who have revealed Your face in the faces of all humanity.

For Yours is the peace which passes all understanding, and to You do we send up glory, praise, honor, love, and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Reader: Glory, now and ever.

Lord have mercy Thrice

Deacon: Master, bless.

Priest: Christ our true God, through the prayers of Your most pure mother, of the selfless martyrs, of those who have confessed You while subjected to every kind of war, violence, and torture, of the peacemakers St. Moses, St. Acacius, St. Maruthas, and St. Nicholas, and of all God-bearing men and women who have gone before us, have mercy on us, save us, and grant us Your everlasting peace. Amen.