A Christian ecumenical service was held at the Franciscan Chapel Center in Tokyo, with participants including the Franciscan Chapel Center, St. Paul International Lutheran Church, West Tokyo Union Church and St. Jude Ukrainian Orthodox Mission participating.
Japan marked the one-year anniversary of the magnitude-9.0 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident that took 19,000 lives and triggered a continuing reconstruction crisis.
A Christian ecumenical service was held at the Franciscan Chapel Center in Tokyo, with participants including the Franciscan Chapel Center, St. Paul International Lutheran Church, West Tokyo Union Church and St. Jude Ukrainian Orthodox Mission participating.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate read a prayer written by His Holiness Patriarch Filaret to be used in all its churches around the world, marking the common bond of experiencing nuclear disasters (Chernobyl and Fukushima) that links the Ukraine and Japan.
"It was a great honor to be allowed to participate in Sunday's ecumenical service," said Rev. Paul Koroluk of St. Jude Ukrainian Orthodox Mission in Tokyo. "It is unfortunate that it takes a great tragedy ... to break down barriers we have created between our nations, but yesterday I was given hope that the Holy Spirit will continue to work through our hearts so that we may be able to lead to a common future."
O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, strong in the grace and merciful in power, we pray for all who have suffered from natural disasters, and especially for those who have been affected by accidents of nuclear power plants in Japan and Ukraine.
We pray for the living -, Lord, diminish their suffering and sorrow, give them strength and courage in the hope of Thy mercy to overcome the trouble. Heal the sick and give good health, and for those in despair – give comfort and hope. Give peace for those in distress and sorrow for those who lost loved ones and give them strength to overcome the grief.
With Thy mighty power, O Lord, cleanse the air, land and water from any harmful substances so we could safely live in a world created by Thee and praise Thy wisdom and power, the Creator of the universe.
We pray for the departed and O, Lord, have mercy, and forgive the sins the souls of all departed and repose them in Thy heavenly mansion.
We pray for our countries and people from Japan and Ukraine, and for all countries and people - give them, O Lord, peace and prosperity, save them from starvation, epidemics, earthquakes, flood and all sorts of disasters. And let every person in the faith to find strength to overcome all challenges in life, natural disasters and calamities of human acts.
For Thou art a merciful God, who loves mankind, and unto Thee do we ascribe glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen