3 November, 2021
Feast of Venerable ILARION the Great of Palestine
Dearly Beloved Clergy and Faithful of our Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA,
CHRIST IS AMONGST US! IS AND ALWAYS SHALL BE!
We rush to share with you troubling news about our Spiritual Father, His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, BARTHOLOMEW I, has been hospitalized this day to determine the cause of recent physical discomfort and pain in his chest was admitted to Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City. We have just been informed that he underwent a procedure for a stent placement to increase blood flow through the heart. We understand that the procedure was successfully completed and that His All-Holiness is resting well. If this continues overnight, he will be released from hospital tomorrow morning to make his return flight to Constantinople and the Patriarchal residence. He will have follow-up care with his regular physicians and we are thankful for this because we know that it feels “better and more safe” if something like this takes place near home, rather than half-way around the world.
We ask you all to immediately include His All-Holiness in your prayers beseeching our Lord’s abundant protection to him, healing him completely:
“O Heavenly Physician, You did send your Only-Begotten Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to heal us and comfort us, that He may look down upon your servant, His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew and extend His healing touch into His life, raising him up from temporary illness so that He may lead us for generations to come in faithful service to You with all our hearts, minds and souls. Grant him all the physical, spiritual and emotional strength to rebound from this temporary setback to continue his powerful witness before You and all the world beseeching our salvation and protecting all Your Creation from disuse and abuse for the generations to come. Hear us, O Lord, and strengthen us in our own prayers for his All-Holiness and for all Your people. For You are blessed and You Love all mankind. We give Glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.”
+ ANTONY
By the Grace of God, Metropolitan
+ DANIEL
By the Grace of God, Archbishop
Source: UOCUSA