APPEALof the First Hierarch of the
Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
to the Clergy and Flock

Dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, faithful children of our Russian Church Abroad!

From 7-12 December of this year, at Holy Protection Church in Nyack, a Pan-Diaspora Conference of the Clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad will be held, and thereafter, from 13-16 December, the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia will meet.

At the Conference, as well as at the Council of Bishops, there will be discussed very important questions concerning the path of our Church. We, the archpastors and clergy, are clearly aware that without the help of God it will be impossible to resolve any questions at all. For this reason, I entreat you, the faithful and dutiful children of our Church, to intensify your prayers during the Pan-Diaspora Conference and the Council of Bishops, that both meetings will proceed in an edifying spirit, in peace and oneness of mind, for the good of the Church of Russia.

I ask that each member of our Church pray during his private prayers for the success of the Conference and the Council. This prayer may be accompanied with a prostration or prostrations; it may include the reading of an akathist hymn; or one may simply pray in one's own words.

I ask the clergy, before leaving for the Conference, after the Divine Liturgy, to insert in the Reiterate Litany the special petitions invoking the Holy Spirit upon the archpastors and pastors, and after the service to announce to their parishioners the impending Conference and Council, to read the prayer at the end of the Service of Supplication, calling upon the aid of the Holy Spirit before the beginning of every good work, and to urge the parishioners to pray.

During the council, I ask that every priest, if possible, serve daily, either at home or in church, the Service of Supplication to the Savior, the Mother of God, the New Martyrs, or the Holy Hierarch and Wonder-worker John of Shanghai and San Francisco. Thus, beloved in the Lord, you will be able to take part, spiritually and prayerfully, in the conciliar life of our Church.

+Metropolitan Laurus
4 December 2003

Petitions:

"Again we pray to Thee, the Lord God, that Thou bless the good intention of Thy servants, His Eminence, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Laurus, the members of the Council of Bishops and the participants in the Pastoral Conference, and be well pleased for it to commence successfully, and that in due time, without any hindrance, it may reach its conclusion unto Thy glory, through the power, activity and grace of the All-Holy Spirit: We pray Thee: Hearken and have mercy!

That Thou assign Thy guardian angel to the Council of Bishops and the participants in the Pastoral Conferencer, O right solicitous Lord, and that all the hindrances of enemies, visible and invisible, may be overcome, and that Thou mayest grant success unto all who labor for a goodly conclusion, we pray Thee, O All-good Savior: Hearken, and have mercy!

Commanding, O Lord, that all things be done for Thy glory, unto Thy servants, His Eminence, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Laurus, the members of the Council of Bishops and the participants of the Pastoral Conference, who are beginning their work for Thy glory, do Thou by Thy blessing grant a successful result and goodly conclusion, imparting to them health and length of days, we pray Thee, O most generous Creator: Hearken, and have mercy!