Diocese of St. Petersburg urges Orthodox believers to join prayer for HIV-infected

HIV/AIDS epidemic has rapidly developed in Russia and Eastern Europe in recent years. The Church together with the whole society spares no effort to stop the disease through her social initiatives. ‘Church anti-AIDS network’ was set up in St. Peterburg in April 2002. It includes the Round table on religious education and deaconia at the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Round table on interchurch aid in Belarus, Christian interchurch deaconia council of St. Petersburg (CIDC) and Coordination committee on interchurch aid in Ukraine.

The network carries out several joint projects. One of the most important projects is conducting regular prayer services in churches of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine for the health of HIV-infected and requiem services for the victims of AIDS. Such prayer services are celebrated regularly on every last Sunday of the month in some churches, website of the Diocese of St. Petersburg reports. Network’s representatives keep the record of those who need our prayers.

The Department for opposing drug-addiction and alcoholism of the Diocese of St. Petersburg urges Orthodox parishes to join prayer for AIDS victims.