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The Orthodox Christian News Service

Published by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, August 3, 2004

Benediction of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America at the Democratic National Convention

New York, NY - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America offered the Benediction at the Democratic National Convention in Boston on Wednesday evening, July 28th. Invited to offer the Benediction following the nomination of Senator John Edwards as Vice President, His Eminence flew to Boston following an evening program of the 37th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America being held in New York City and returned to the Congress for Thursday’s final Plenary session and Grand Banquet. Following is the text of the Prayer:

“Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

Heavenly King, Maker of all things and Father of all humanity, we bow our heads before you in deepest gratitude for the countless blessings which You bestow continually upon our great nation.

We thank You for the bounties of our land, for the stability of our society, and for the diversity of our American people. And above all, we thank You for the inestimable gift of freedom and for the glorious ideals of human dignity, equality, and justice for all, which have been inspired by Your grace.

This legacy of liberty, O Lord. Is ours today because of the sacrifice and service of the founders of our nation. Bless, O God, their memory with an everlasting blessing, and inspire us with an equal measure of dedication to the institutions and ideas of democracy.

Send Your mercies upon this Convention, and upon all the delegates who have been gathered here to carry out these noble ideals by selecting candidates for the highest offices of our land. Bestow upon your servants, Senator John Kerry and Senator John Edwards, strength from above and profound wisdom to bear well the awesome responsibilities of their candidacy. Grant them keen discernment and brotherly love, so that they may bring honor to our democratic institutions, in properly understanding and handling issues of vital importance for our society.

Enlighten your servants, so that they may confirm the precious value of liberty. May the work of these candidates and of this Convention advance our blessed American legacy far into the future, through works of social progress, deeds of righteousness, and acts of justice.

Establish our land in peace, O Lord. Protect the poor, nourish the hungry, strengthen the weak, vindicate the oppressed, support the youth, make firm our families, preserve and guard our armed forces who stand in harm’s way on behalf of us all, heal the wounds of war, and inspire all people with the ideals of human freedom and dignity, from sea to shining sea, and throughout the whole world.

And to You be the glory forever. Amen.”
 

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