Encountering the Divine Liturgy Part 7: Introduction to the Great Litany

The Divine Liturgy begins not with individual expression but with a profound, collective appeal to God in the form of the Great Litany—also called the Litany of Peace. This initial set of petitions frames the entire liturgical experience in the context of spiritual unity, intercessory love, and total dependence on God's mercy. Drawn from the deep wells of Holy Scripture and shaped by the experience of the early Church, the Great Litany serves as a model of how the Christian community approaches God: in peace, with humility, and on behalf of the entire world. Its structure reveals the heart of Orthodox worship—a communal offering in which the Church prays for all people, all places, and all conditions of life, embodying the royal priesthood of the baptized faithful.

1. In peace let us pray to the Lord.

• Biblical Origin:

• 1 Timothy 2:1-2 — “I urge that supplications, prayers… be made… that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life.”

• Psalm 34:14 — “Seek peace and pursue it.”

• Theological Meaning: Peace (εἰρήνη) is not just the absence of conflict but the fullness of God’s presence. This opening line sets the spiritual tone of the entire litany.

2. For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

• Biblical Origin:

• James 3:17 — “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable…”

• Luke 2:14 — “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace…”

• Psalm 62:1 — “Truly my soul finds salvation in God.”

• Theological Meaning: We ask for divine peace and spiritual salvation, recognizing both are gifts from above.

3. For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

• Biblical Origin:

• Isaiah 2:4 — “They shall beat their swords into plowshares… neither shall they learn war anymore.”

• John 17:21 — Jesus prays “that they may all be one.”

• Acts 9:31 — “Then the church throughout… enjoyed a time of peace.”

• Theological Meaning: A broad intercession for global harmony, ecclesiastical unity, and the stability of Christian life.

4. For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

• Biblical Origin:

• Psalm 5:7 — “I will enter your house… in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple.”

• Exodus 3:5 — “Take off your sandals… this is holy ground.”

• Theological Meaning: A prayer for the sanctity of the liturgical space and the spiritual disposition of those who enter.

5. For our Archbishop (N.), for the honorable presbytery, the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

• Biblical Origin:

• 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 — “Respect those who work among you… esteem them very highly.”

• Hebrews 13:17 — “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls.”

• Theological Meaning: Prayers for spiritual leadership and the entire body of the Church.

6. For the President (or civil authorities) and for all in public service, let us pray to the Lord.

• Biblical Origin:

• 1 Timothy 2:1-2 — “Pray… for kings and all who are in authority.”

• Romans 13:1 — “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.”

• Theological Meaning: Upholding leaders in prayer that governance may be righteous and conducive to godly life.

7. For this city (or monastery), for every city and land, and for the faithful who dwell in them, let us pray to the Lord.

• Biblical Origin:

• Jeremiah 29:7 — “Seek the welfare of the city… and pray to the Lord on its behalf.”

• Acts 18:10 — “I have many people in this city.”

• Theological Meaning: A prayer for local and regional communities and all believers.

8. For seasonable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord.

• Biblical Origin:

• Deuteronomy 11:14 — “Then I will send rain for your land in its season.”

• Psalm 65:9-13 — God waters the earth and blesses its growth.

• Theological Meaning: An agrarian-rooted plea recognizing God as the source of sustenance and stability.

9. For travelers by land, sea, and air; for the sick, the suffering, the captives, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

• Biblical Origin:

• Psalm 107:23-30 — God delivers those at sea.

• Matthew 25:36 — “I was sick and you visited me… in prison and you came to me.”

• Acts 27 — Paul’s sea voyage and deliverance.

• Theological Meaning: Intercession for those in transit or peril, seeking divine protection and healing.

10. For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

• Biblical Origin:

• Psalm 34:17 — “The righteous cry out… and the Lord delivers them from all their troubles.”

• 2 Corinthians 1:10 — “He delivered us from such a deadly peril.”

• Theological Meaning: A plea for deliverance from adversity and trials.

11. Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

• Biblical Origin:

• This is a fourfold cry found throughout Scripture:

• Psalm 46:1 — “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

• Psalm 6:2 — “Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint.”

• Titus 3:5 — “He saved us… according to His mercy.”

• Psalm 140:4 — “Protect me, Lord, from the hands of the wicked.”

• Theological Meaning: Total reliance on God’s grace for help, salvation, mercy, and protection.

12. Commemorating our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints…

• Biblical Origin:

• Luke 1:48 — “All generations will call me blessed.”

• Hebrews 12:1 — “We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.”

• Theological Meaning: Acknowledging the communion of saints, especially the Theotokos, and seeking their intercession.

13. Let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life unto Christ our God.

• Biblical Origin:

• 1 Peter 5:7 — “Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

• 2 Timothy 1:12 — “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him.”

• Theological Meaning: A final act of surrender and trust, entrusting all things to Christ.

To deepen our understanding of the Great Litany, it is helpful to turn to the wisdom of the Eastern Church Fathers, who offer profound insights into its spiritual and theological significance. Their writings reveal how these petitions are not merely liturgical formulae, but expressions of the Church’s living faith and its continuous intercession for the world. These Fathers—many of whom helped shape the very structure of the Divine Liturgy—highlight the importance of peace, communal prayer, and intercession as essential aspects of Christian life. The following selections from St. John Chrysostom, St. Basil the Great, and St. Cyril of Jerusalem illustrate how the Great Litany embodies the scriptural and spiritual heritage of the Church.

1. St. John Chrysostom

On Peace and Prayer

“If we are at peace with ourselves and our neighbor, all things will be well. But if we are divided among ourselves, even though we have thousands of prayers, they will profit us nothing.”

— Homily 27 on the Gospel of Matthew
(PG 57:349)

Connection: This aligns with the repeated invocation “In peace let us pray to the Lord,” emphasizing peace as a condition for effective prayer and communal liturgy.

2. St. Basil the Great

On Intercessory Prayer

“It is necessary that every man pray not only for himself, but also for his neighbor. For thus we fulfill the law of love and become imitators of Christ, who prayed for those who crucified Him.”

— Letter 203, To the Clergy of Neocaesarea
(PG 32:738)

Connection: The Great Litany is corporate intercession par excellence, mirroring this teaching of praying not only for oneself but for all—those in authority, the sick, the travelers, and the faithful.

3. St. Cyril of Jerusalem

On Liturgical Supplication

“After the deacon says, ‘Let us pray to the Lord for the catechumens,’ you are to pray fervently in your heart… For in that hour all who are in prayer are offering supplications for those who are in need.”

— Catechetical Lecture 23.5
(PG 33:1100)

Connection: Cyril describes how the entire Church actively joins in the litanies, reinforcing the communal and priestly role of the faithful in each petition of the Great Litany.

Summary:

The Great Litany is far more than a formal opening; it is the spiritual groundwork of the Divine Liturgy. Through these ancient petitions, the Church teaches us how to pray—not only for our own needs but for the peace of the world, the well-being of the Church, our leaders, the suffering, and the entire human family. Patristic voices like St. John Chrysostom, St. Basil the Great, and St. Cyril of Jerusalem confirm that these prayers reflect the essence of Christian love and community. As we chant or hear each supplication, we are reminded that Orthodox worship is an act of standing together before God, with every word shaped by Scripture, guided by the Fathers, and offered in peace for the life of the world.