His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros delivered the opening prayer at a meeting of the World Council of Churches (WCC), addressing an assembly of Christian leaders and representatives from various ecclesiastical traditions, including His Holiness the Pope.
The gathering brought together representatives of different Christian communities for discussions concerning Christian unity, interchurch relations, and matters of common concern.
Opening the proceedings, Archbishop Elpidophoros called upon those assembled to approach their deliberations with humility, mutual respect, and a commitment to the truth of the Christian faith.
Before beginning the prayer, His Eminence addressed the assembled dignitaries:
"Your Holiness, Your Beatitudes, Your Eminences, Your Graces, Reverend Fathers, and distinguished representatives of the Christian Churches, let us bow our heads in prayer."
The Archbishop then invoked the Holy Spirit through the traditional Orthodox prayer O Heavenly King, before offering a petition for the guidance of the assembly.
"O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Who before Your voluntary Passion prayed unto the Father that all may be one, look with compassion upon us gathered here in Your holy Name.
Grant us humility in our words, wisdom in our deliberations, and love in our hearts. May we never allow pride or earthly ambition to stand before the truth of Your Holy Gospel.
Guide this assembly by the grace of Your All-Holy Spirit, that we may seek peace without compromising truth, unity without abandoning faith, and understanding without forgetting the sacred traditions entrusted to us."
His Eminence's prayer placed particular emphasis on the relationship between Christian unity and faithfulness to the teachings and traditions of the Church.
Rather than presenting unity as an end in itself, the prayer called for reconciliation founded upon truth, humility, and sincere Christian love.
The Archbishop also remembered Christians suffering throughout the world, offering prayers for those facing persecution, warfare, and hardship.
"Remember, O Lord, all Your faithful throughout the world, especially those who suffer persecution, those afflicted by war, and those who long for peace.
Bless all who have gathered here today. Grant that our discussions may be conducted in sincerity, mutual respect, and Christian charity."
Concluding his invocation, Archbishop Elpidophoros offered the traditional Trinitarian doxology of the Orthodox Church:
"For You are our sanctification, and unto You do we send up glory, together with Your Father Who is without beginning, and Your All-Holy, Good, and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen."
The opening prayer established a solemn beginning to the proceedings, with the Archbishop's words placing particular attention on preserving the integrity of Christian doctrine while encouraging respectful dialogue between the participating Churches.
The assembly subsequently proceeded to its scheduled deliberations.
