International Human Solidarity Day
‘As St. Porphyrius of Kavsokalyvia writes, “Only prayer, silence, and love are effective.” Resting in prayer and silence, through faith and trust we encounter the love of the one who became flesh for our sake, in whom every conflict and battle ceases, the Peace and Power of God, come to reign in our hearts through his Incarnation. May we always accept that love with repentance, humility, and gratitude, and joyfully share it with others, this day and every day.
Once the wise men journeyed, not to meet Herod in his court of splendor, nor to seek Caesar on his Roman throne, but to find a Child in his Mother’s arms. Likewise, we do not seek peace, salvation, and joy from the hand and works of “princes and sons of men” (Ps. 145:3), but from the Lord who appears to us in silence, showing us the way of humility, stillness, forgiveness, meekness, and mercy.’ (from the OCA Nativity Message 2023)
Today is International Human Solidarity Day, and ‘Advocate for Change’ is this year’s theme to promote social and economic development, human rights and peace.
The UN recognizes solidarity as one of the fundamental and universal values that should guide relations between people in the 21st century. The Orthodox Prayer Service for the UN Community was inaugurated in 2021, held on September 30th each year, as a way to establish an Orthodox presence for the cause of world peace and understanding, and to enable Orthodox Christians to share in their common religious and cultural heritage.
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