UGCC will pray for blessings and the influence of the Holy Spirit during the Conclave of Cardinals electing the next Pope

In view of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Roman Pope, the throne of the Bishop of Rome, the successor of the Apostle Peter, is vacant as  of February 28, 2013 ( according to Rome time – as of 8 PM).  Therefore with this moment, all Divine Liturgies and other church services, will not mention the Holy Father until the election of a  new Pope. A statement to this effect was made by UGCC Head, His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk),  to bishops and priests regarding the mention of the Universal Hierarch, the Roman Pope, during the time of the vacancy of the Papal Throne in Rome.

Therefore, as the UGCC Primate states in his letter, during the Suhuba ektania of the Divine Liturgy, all bishops and priests should add the following supplication:

“We also ask you God for the blessings and intervention of the Holy Spirit during the elections of the Universal Hierarch, the Roman Pope so that he may be a good pastor for Christ’s Church and the servant of the servants of the Lord.” All other hierarchs should be named in the customary order.

UGCC Department of Information