2025 Nativity Fast Prayer Challenge

The Challenge

This year, just like last ten years during the Nativity season, Metropolitan Gregory has offered a challenge to all of the clergy and faithful and especially the youth and young adults of the Diocese to strengthen their spiritual lives. 

And the challenge is:

To offer a special prayer for peace during evening prayers.  A similar prayer will be offered at each Divine Liturgy during the Nativity Fast. The text of these prayers are included below.

Each household should have sufficient copies so that each young person that can read has one by their bed  to use nightly and those who are too young to read may say this prayer together with their parents before they go to bed.  Of course all adults should join the challenge as well so that all together our prayers will reach our Lord’s ears.

A Message From Metropolitan Gregory

Protocol No. 9/2025

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Dear Beloved Faithful Clergy and Laity of our God-Protected Diocese,

Today we see our world spinning out of control. Violence, poverty, hatred, drug overdoses, homelessness, theft and senseless killings are all increasing. The conflict in Ukraine continues. From the very beginning as God fearing people we have been praying for the Lord's help. In all of our Divine Liturgies additional petitions and prayers have been offered.  And yet the struggle continues around the world. I believe we must intensify our prayers. If we are feeling like we are sinking because we are overwhelmed in our home life, work life, school life or even our social life (including social media and technology) we must be like Peter. He was walking on the water towards Jesus and when he became distracted by the winds and waves, he began to sink. Peter cried out, "Lord, save me!" (Matthew 14:30) and Jesus Christ reached down and pulled him out of the stormy sea. We too are sinking and need to cry out "Lord, save me!"

As we once again enter the Season of the Nativity Fast, I ask you, actually I plead with you, the good faithful people of our Diocese, to join me on a journey to meet the new born King. During these 40 days leading to the Nativity of our Lord let us increase our efforts in church attendance, in prayer, in fasting, in scriptural reading, in almsgiving, in repentance and confession, in receiving the Eucharist. This is who we should be as active Orthodox Christians.

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Resources

Download Archpastoral Letter for the Nativity Fast 2025 PDF Format

Prayer Sheet - Home Use

Prayer For Peace - Evening Prayers Full Sheet PDF Format

Prayer For Peace - Evening Prayers JPG Format

Prayer For Peace Post Card Size PDF Format

Divine Liturgy Petition  

Special Petition - Litany of Fervent Supplication PDF Format

10th Anniversary - Collection of Past Prayers

10th Anniversary Prayer Collection Booklet PDF Format 

 

 

 


Spread The Peace and Love of The Nativity

Help equip the Saints of our Diocese for missionary and charitable works to be done in the name of  Our Lord, Jesus Christ.  Join Metropolitan Gregory during the Nativity Fast  in supporting the ACRY Stewardship Campaign.   Learn More Here!