Wednesday, January 03, 2007

The lovely Italian faithful: in the urbs caput orbis...


Here we see Italian pilgrims from the south in the Piazza San Pietro. Of course we all so love Italy and gli Italiani so much and so I often find myself praying for them.

“O Virgin Mother of God, thou art an unassailable rampart, a fortress of salvation; we beseech thee, destroy the schemes of our enemies, turn the grief of thy people into joy, gather together those who belong to thee, strengthen our God-fearing rulers, intercede for the peace of the world; for thou, O Mother of God, art our hope.”

Byzantine Horologion, Troparion at Nocturns (ca. 9th cent?)

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