His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros

Invocation at the State House of Rhode Island

March 22, 2022

Rhode Island House of Representatives Chamber

Providence, Rhode Island

 

Most Honorable Representatives of the People of Rhode Island,

Please join me as we bow our heads in prayer:

Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.

 

O Good and Gracious God, Creator of Heaven and Earth and of all that fills our Universe:

We give thanks to you this day, for Your ineffable blessings of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

We gather in gratitude for the gift of freedom, exemplified atop this very temple of democracy by the “The Independent Man.”

We give a special thanksgiving for the Two Hundred and First Anniversary of the Greek Revolution that we celebrate on March 25th,

And the Two Hundred and Forty Sixth Anniversary of the American Revolution that we will observe this Fourth of July.

We recognize our responsibility and our duty to secure these freedoms, and to work always to create a “more perfect union” for all citizens.

As we give thanks for our Democracies of Greece and America – the former, the first and most ancient, and the latter, the most powerful and generous;

We pray for all those who are championing freedom and democracy around the world, especially those fighting in Ukraine for their homeland.

And we ask your special blessing upon this Assembly of the Representatives of the Noble People of Rhode Island:

Guide and inspire them to always serve their fellow citizens with honor, dignity, and with the highest values of truth and liberty,

That they may live long in this land, in health and prosperity, all the days of their lives.

Through Your grace and love toward mankind.

Amen.