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risu.org.ua - The Holy Synod of the Kyiv Patriarchate today voted to suspend commemoration of the President and civil authorities of Ukraine during services in consequence of their use of firearms against the people who they had sworn to serve and protect.

Holy Synod resolved:

1. Given that public authorities who chose to serve the government itself and Ukraine have not heeded repeated calls by the church to not use weapons against the people and not commit violence and murder, to suspend commemorating civil authorities during worship as of February 20, 2014.

2. To call on the authorities to immediately halt the use of weapons against the Ukrainian people and remind her representatives about personal responsibility before God for all innocent blood shed .

3. Given guidance by the Holy Scriptures of the need to pray for authorities and recognizing from the Constitution of Ukraine that the only source of power in Ukraine is the Ukrainian people, the determination of the Holy Synod is to offer in all services prayers as follows: "May God remember our Ukraine and the Ukrainian people".

4. To call on all the Faithful for increased prayer in Ukraine, and to call also for prayers for the repose of the souls of dead, for healing of the wounded, and for an end to fratricide .

Catholic World News

Forum 18 News

03 December 2022

Joachim and Anna Rejoice

Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed, * for God has heard Joachim and Anna * and He promises manifestly that they, against all hope, would give birth to the Maiden of God * from whom the Uncircumscribed One Himself would be born, becoming man, * and he commanded the Angels to cry out to her: * “Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!” (Troparion - Tone 4)

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

Today the whole world celebrates * the conception of Anne which was brought about by God, * for she gave birth to the one who, beyond understanding, * gave birth to the Word. (Kontakion - Tone 4)

Saint Nicholas of Myra

The truth of your deeds has revealed you to your flock, * as a rule of faith, an image of meekness, and a teacher of abstinence. * Therefore, you attained the heights through humility, * and riches through poverty. * O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, * pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved. (Troparion, Tone 4)

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

In Myra, You were shown to be a servant of the sacred things, O Holy Nicholas, * for, fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, you, O Venerable, laid down your life for your people, * and saved the innocent from death. * Therefore, you were sanctified as a great initiate of the grace of God. (Kontakion, Tone 3)