DIOCESE OF WESTERN AMERICA: November 24, 2009
A New Service of Intercession for Those Suffering From Alcohol and Drug Dependence

On Tuesday, November 3, 2009, a new liturgical publication (in Church Slavonic) entitled "Service of Intercession For Those Suffering From Alcohol of Drug Dependence," was presented at the Western American Diocese Fall Clergy Retreat.

Alcohol and drug dependence is among the most serious threats to Orthodox Christians, especially young people. It is extremely widespread throughout the world. In Russia it has reached epidemic proportions and thus His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow and All Russia has given his blessing for a special council, "Our Common Cause," to be formed in order to wage a battle with this threat.

In Russia it has been most common for those struggling with alcohol dependence to read the Akathist to the Theotokos before Her Icon "Inexhaustible Cup" or the Canon to the Martyr Boniface. In the West many people ask for a moleben to be served to St John, the Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco. But until now no special moleben with specific petitions and prayer for relief from alcohol abuse or drug addiction (a moleben similar to those about for travelers, for the infirm, before the beginning of a good deed, of thanksgiving) has existed.

In September, 2007, the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia approved a new moleben for those suffering from alcohol and drug dependence, and His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus blessed "Russkiy Pastyr" Publishers to publish this liturgical text.

This moleben is the Russian Church Abroad's contribution to the battle against alcoholism and drug dependence, an aid to priests, and is released to comfort and console both those who are struggling with alcohol and drug dependence and those who are close to them and love them. The English version of the moleben is due to be published by Pascha 2010.

The Church Slavonic edition may be ordered at:

Russkiy Pastyr
475 26th Avneue, #2
San Francisco, CA 94121

(415) 387-5164

E-mail: ruspast@sbcglobal.net

Cost is $4.00 US including postage.