“The Patriarch noted that, amid the wars, conflicts, and human suffering confronting the world, the prayers of the faithful turn towards the Most Holy Theotokos, the Mother of all peoples.

“Let us fervently implore the Virgin Mary tonight to drive wars away from our world. May she bring an end to bloodshed, atrocities, violence, and our inhumanity. Her virtue and intercession can restrain human wickedness, for she was deemed worthy by God to take an active part in the salvation of us all. Today, the Theotokos becomes the new earth and the new heaven, from which a new world arises—a world of beauty, virtue, and salvation.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew ›

His All-Holiness

Direct quote

“intensified prayers for the Ukrainian armed forces fighting against Russian aggression

Metropolitan Epifaniy ›

Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine

Reported

“United through prayer, we stand in hope that the pain, trauma, and suffering of innocent people will at last come to an end. As we said in June, at our previous Global Prayer for Ukraine, light always triumphs over darkness.

“Today, from Alexandria, the city of Alexander the Great and Saint Mark, we raise our prayers to the Panagia, the Mother of us all, We ask her to wipe away the tears of children, comfort mothers who are suffering, protect the innocent, and enlighten the leaders of the world so that peace may prevail. The Panagia knows no borders or distinctions; her maternal embrace has room for every person and every nation.

“the faithful to give thanks to God for His assistance to the Ukrainian people amid their difficult trials and to place their hope in the Lord and the Most Holy Theotokos

Metropolitan Epifaniy ›

Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine

Reported

“he also encouraged the faithful to pray to the Theotokos with trust, confident that she knows human suffering and understands their concerns

Archbishop Makarios ›

Archbishop of Australia

Reported

“the Mother of God as the intercessor of the faithful before God