Met. Gregory Calls Faithful to Intensified Prayer and Repentance During Nativity Fast
In a pastoral letter, the ACROD hierarch urges clergy and laity to cry out “Lord, save me!” amid global turmoil and personal struggle, renewing his call for nightly family prayers for peace.
NOV. 10, 2025 — As the Orthodox Church soon enters the Nativity Fast, Met. Gregory of Nyssa of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of North America has issued a heartfelt appeal to the clergy and faithful of his diocese, calling for renewed prayer, repentance, and spiritual discipline in a world “spinning out of control.”
“Violence, poverty, hatred, drug overdoses, homelessness, theft and senseless killings are all increasing,” Met. Gregory wrote. “The conflict in Ukraine continues… the struggle continues around the world. I believe we must intensify our prayers.”
Reflecting on the Gospel story of St. Peter walking on the water, the Metropolitan encouraged the faithful to emulate Peter’s cry for divine help: “We too are sinking and need to cry out, ‘Lord, save me!’”
The hierarch urged all Orthodox Christians to deepen their observance of the 40-day Nativity Fast through “increased church attendance, prayer, fasting, scriptural reading, almsgiving, repentance and confession, and the Eucharist.”
Marking the 10th year of his diocesan initiative for nightly prayers for peace, Met. Gregory again called on families to participate together. Each young person should have the text of the prayer by their bed to use nightly, he said, adding that parents should lead younger children in prayer.
To assist the faithful, the Diocese has created a dedicated webpage with downloadable prayer texts and related resources. Social media postings will also promote participation throughout the fasting season.
“With all of us united in prayer this Nativity Fasting Season,” Met. Gregory concluded, “I am convinced that we will help to improve our lives and those of others throughout the world.”
Previously, UOJ reported that the annual Assembly of Bishops meeting concluded in Colorado, in which Met. Gregory was present.
