Source: Interfax-Religion
Moscow, October 9, 2015
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has spoken on the importance of the Russian aerial operation in Syria and called on believers to pray for victory.
"We see what ominous and dangerous signs these days bring to us. Quite close, near our borders, a war is taking place, the results of which are crucial, in particular, for the peace and welfare of Holy Rus," the patriarch said after finishing a liturgy at the Lavra of St. Sergius, which commemorated St. Sergius of Radonezh, "the hegumen of the Russian land."
"Sometimes the most dangerous and dreadful bloodshed started far beyond the borders of our country, only for us to be hit hardest by the consequences of those wars. One needs only to recall what happened in the twentieth century," the Russian Orthodox Church leader said.
This is why even the current war, "which is taking place beyond the southern Russian borders can turn into a major war unless it is stopped now," the patriarch said.
Addressing pilgrims from the balcony of the patriarchal residence the Church primate urged them "to pray in these days particularly hard for our people, including to Saint Sergius of Radonezh, whose prayers once rid Rus of its foreign invaders." The patriarch expressed his hope that "prayers will be able to stop the bloodshed and - most importantly - to move the danger away from our Fatherland."
"We shall ask God for his mercy to be with us all, for our Fatherland, as a result of military actions taking place today, to be protected from a hostile attack, from pernicious winds, from deadly ulcer, and from all kinds of evil," the patriarch said.
