Prayer in the Time of Ruinous Pestilence (Epidemic)*

O Lord, our God, Who is rich in compassion and mercy; Who directs our life by Your wise Providence. Hear our prayer, accept the repentance of our sins, bring an end to the ruinous pestilence that befalls us as You have, in times before, eradicated ruinous pestilence from among your people.

O Compassionate Saviour! Preserve the health of those who hope in You. O Physician of our souls and bodies, grant recovery to those who are ill and raise them up from their beds of malady and suffering. O Lord, bless, strengthen and protect, by Your grace, all those engaged, of their charity and generosity, in caring for the sick: both in hospitals and in their homes. Deliver the people of our city (village, monastery), our country, and throughout the world from ruinous pestilence, from illnesses and sufferings, and teach us to value life and good health – as gifts from You. Grant us, O God, Your peace. Fill our hearts with unwavering faith in Your protection, with hope in Your succour, with love for You and for our neighbours.

For Yours it is to have mercy upon us and to save us, O our God, and unto You we send up glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

*Approved by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Translation into English by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Yurij)