04 the great ektenia litany of peace

Historical Prospective of the Liturgy

THE GREAT EKTENIA OR LITANY OF PEACE

ipodiakonos zoran j. bobic

The Great Ektenia or Litany of Peace• Standing before the royal doors, the deacon sings in a loud clear voice:

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

• People: Lord have mercy.

• Bible References: Philippians 4: 6 - 7, Colossians 3:15, 2 Peter 3:14, Saint Luke 18:1, Ephesians 6:18

• This calling is to putt away all earthly troubles and worries;

• To have external and internal peace; calm;

• To have clear conscience;

• Only with this kind of spirit of peace we can rightly approach God in prayer;

• cf.Matt. 5:23-24: We have to reconciled with each other;


For the peace of God and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.


• Bible References: Saint John 14:27, Romans 8:6, 14:17, Colossians 3: 1 - 2, Galatians 5:22, Psalms 29:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:9, 1 Peter 1: 3 - 5

• Peace is the sign of God’s Kingdom (Rom. 14:17);

• Deacon urges prayer for peace in every form;

• When all nations and races are at peace with each other can the Church of God grow;


For peace in the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

• Bible References: 1 Timothy 2: 1 - 2, 2 Corinthians 11:28, Saint John 17: 20 - 23.


• “holy churches of God” = various local churches of the one true Church;

• Unity = is referred to in the Byzantine petition, oneness, peace, love and harmony that these various local churches should live in;


For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

• Bible References: Psalms 84: 1 - 4, James 5:16


• “For this holy house” = for this holy parish


For our Archbishop {Name}, the honorable presbyters, the deacons in the service of Christ, and all the clergy and laity, let us pray to the Lord.

Bible References: 1 Peter 2:9, Hebrews 13:7


• This is the Kingdom of God upon the earth hierarchically organized;

• Their needs are many, their wants varied;

• Prayers for the faithful included almost every need;


For the President of our country, for all civil authorities, and for the armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.

• Bible References: 1 Timothy 2:2


• Early Christians prayed “for king and rulers”; God-protected Emperor or Tsar;

• For princes who lead a pious life;

• Today we pray for “legitimately constituted governing bodies”;


For this city, for every city and land, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.

• Bible References: Jeremiah 29:7, Psalms 122:7


• From governing body we go to community; large city and/or village;

• This petition is not limited to any one country = includes every city, every country;

• In time of Chrysostom, Christians prayed: “for all who are here and everywhere”;


For favorable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and temperate seasons, let us pray to the Lord.

• Bible References: Saint Matthew 6:33, Saint Matthew 7: 7 - 11, Acts 14:17, 3 Saint John 2, Psalms 33:7, Deuteronomy 12:10



For travelers by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

• Bible References: James 5:13, 1 Kings 8: 46 - 50


• The sick and the suffering are ever in need of prayer;

• Prayer will deliver them, …give them gentle balm of patience;

• Sick will see the light so that they can see the finger of God in suffering/pain;

• Hour by hour they stand on the threshold of eternity;

The Great Ektenia or Litany of Peace• Today:

For travelers by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

• Original:

Let us pray for those who are in the mines, in banishment, in prisons, and in chains for the name of the Lord.

• This originated during the persecutions;

• Above original petition is from “Apostolic Constitutions”;

• After the persecutions, Christians continued to pray for those imprisoned;

• Praying for those in prison = same as visiting them there;

• Matt. 25:34-36 “I was in prison…”;


For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

• Bible References: Psalms 4:1, Psalms 25;16, Psalms 31:9, Saint Matthew 26:41, 1 Samuel 26:24


• From Lord’s Prayer = deliverance from all affliction…;

• Whatever it be, from all wrath and want of soul and body;


Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

• Bible References: Saint Mark 9:22, Psalms 109:26, Psalms 106:47, Psalms 121:3, Hebrews 7:25, Psalms 25:20, Psalms 140:4, 1 Chronicles 16:35


• God will never allow us to be tempted beyond that which we can endure (I Cor. 10:13);

• Without his help, his grace we can not do anything (John 15:5); we are not sufficient to think anything of ourselves (II Cor. 3:5);

• Grace is indeed needed for salvation and eternal life; Grace is free gift of God;

• Grace is given to us purely out of God’s goodness and mercy;

• Petition doctrine is in absolute gratuity of grace;

04 the great ektenia litany of peace

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