Prayer to Hieroconfessor Vitaly of New York (+2006), First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad

 

O most glorious holy hierarch of Christ Vitaly, today, fervently offering unto thee hymns of praise, we trust that thy love toward us hath not grown faint. For in thy life, thou didst show thyself to be a true shepherd, laying down thy soul for thy flock. Wherefore we fall down before thee and beseech thee: have mercy on thy spiritual children and preserve them from the snares of the evil one.

O our good shepherd, deliver the faithful from eternal perdition; fence the Church of Christ about from soul-destroying wolves; destroy the wicked intrigues of the apostates. Quell apostasy and schisms in the Church; strengthen bishops and priests to walk in the path of truth. Grant thy speedy help unto all the faithful: heal the sick, comfort the sorrowful, and help those in distress.

We beseech thee, O saint of God, leave us not to perish amid the raging waves of sin, but show unto us thy pastoral mercy and guide us to walk in the way of salvation, that, having pleased the Lord, together with thee we may hymn the Holy Trinity: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Russian source: excerpted from Канон священноисповеднику Виталию, Митрополиту Нью-Йоркскому, Первоиерарху Русской Православной Церкви.