As always at this holy time, the brothers and sisters of the Russian Ecclesiastical
Mission in Jerusalem spent the first week of the Fast in church for services, spiritual
lessons and prayer. Unfortunately, this time of heartfelt peace was broken by the
aggressive sounds of war. On St. Theodore Saturday during Divine Liturgy, just
before the time of Holy Communion, the prayerful silence of the moment was
shattered by the piercing sound of air raid sirens. The faithful stayed in church as the
unmistakable din of explosions were heard. Since then, this his has been a daily
occurrence. Day and night, in church or at our obedience, iPhone alarms and air raid
sirens warn us of an impending attack by missiles and drones.
Mission in Jerusalem spent the first week of the Fast in church for services, spiritual
lessons and prayer. Unfortunately, this time of heartfelt peace was broken by the
aggressive sounds of war. On St. Theodore Saturday during Divine Liturgy, just
before the time of Holy Communion, the prayerful silence of the moment was
shattered by the piercing sound of air raid sirens. The faithful stayed in church as the
unmistakable din of explosions were heard. Since then, this his has been a daily
occurrence. Day and night, in church or at our obedience, iPhone alarms and air raid
sirens warn us of an impending attack by missiles and drones.
We hear the Israeli
interceptor rockets take off and destroy the majority of incoming missiles (see
photo). The explosions are loud and shake the buildings. We thank the Lord that at
this time, none of our monasteries or members of the Mission were harmed, even
though we are saddened by the deaths of local citizens not far away. We are warned
that after an attack; we are to stay inside far at least 10 minutes so that any falling
shrapnel from the rockets can fall without harm. We found three fragments that fell
on the territory of the St. Mary Magdalene Convent, one just in front of the door to
the church (see photo). It would be fatal if a piece would hit any individual.
interceptor rockets take off and destroy the majority of incoming missiles (see
photo). The explosions are loud and shake the buildings. We thank the Lord that at
this time, none of our monasteries or members of the Mission were harmed, even
though we are saddened by the deaths of local citizens not far away. We are warned
that after an attack; we are to stay inside far at least 10 minutes so that any falling
shrapnel from the rockets can fall without harm. We found three fragments that fell
on the territory of the St. Mary Magdalene Convent, one just in front of the door to
the church (see photo). It would be fatal if a piece would hit any individual.
We of course accept this dangerous situation as it is allowed by God for our sins and
pray that hostilities will soon come to an end.
Once again, the airports are closed and all flights to and from Israel are cancelled.
The last month before Great Lent, we saw a strong uptick in visits of pilgrim groups
which gave us hope that after the pandemic, military conflicts here in Gaza and in and in the Ukraine, life was stabilizing and things were returning to normal. Alas, it
is not to be, at least not for the foreseeable future. Even if peace is soon attained,
pilgrims will stay away for some time.
Aor this we must ask for your continuing support of the Russian Ecclesiastical
Mission. The Church teaches that Great Lent is not only a time of prayer, but also for almsgiving, helping those that are in need. The Lenten Triodion tells us: "Let us give bread to those in need, and let us draw near unto Christ, crying in penitence: O our God, have mercy on us".
Thanking you for your holy prayers and help
pray that hostilities will soon come to an end.
Once again, the airports are closed and all flights to and from Israel are cancelled.
The last month before Great Lent, we saw a strong uptick in visits of pilgrim groups
which gave us hope that after the pandemic, military conflicts here in Gaza and in and in the Ukraine, life was stabilizing and things were returning to normal. Alas, it
is not to be, at least not for the foreseeable future. Even if peace is soon attained,
pilgrims will stay away for some time.
Aor this we must ask for your continuing support of the Russian Ecclesiastical
Mission. The Church teaches that Great Lent is not only a time of prayer, but also for almsgiving, helping those that are in need. The Lenten Triodion tells us: "Let us give bread to those in need, and let us draw near unto Christ, crying in penitence: O our God, have mercy on us".
Thanking you for your holy prayers and help
