Great Litany

Every liturgical service of the Orthodox Church, as well as virtually all sacraments and special services, start with the Great Litany, sometimes after the reading of psalms. The petitions of this litany address the basic and general needs of every community and its members.

The Great Litany is called the ‘Litany of Peace’ because the first three petitions all concern peace:

• “In peace let us pray to the Lord,