The Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church has approved the text of a prayer asking the Lord and the saints to protect Crimea, grant victory over the enemy, and assist the Russian army. The document, adopted by participants in the July 16 meeting, was highlighted by the Christians Against War project.
Wording about the “enemy”
The prayer is addressed to the Council of Crimean Saints. In the text, the Lord is asked to grant victory over the “visible and invisible enemy”. The Mother of God is asked to establish “Orthodox dwelling” in Crimea and to send “victory from Heaven”.
Appeals for support to the fleet and the army
Saint Fyodor Ushakov is described in the prayer as a “leader, organizer of peaceful life, and patron of the Russian fleet and Sevastopol”, and is invoked for help.
The text asks for Russia to be “protected from the invasion of foreigners and internecine strife”, for the army to receive “success in defending our Fatherland”, and for all Orthodox Christians to be granted “help in spiritual struggle”.
Situation on the peninsula
At the same time, annexed Crimea continues to experience serious disruptions to basic services after attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. According to the source, the situation in the north of the region is nearing a humanitarian catastrophe.
In some homes, electricity appears for only a few minutes, water is available for a couple of hours, and in certain localities mobile service also operates on a schedule.