Pope Tawadros II has called on Copts to unite in prayer with Churches the world over at noontime today, Wednesday 25 March, for the Lord to intervene and lift the peril of Coronavirus.
Members of the congregation would pray wherever they are, and Pope Tawadros will pray with them in a televised address from the papal headquarters at St Mark’s in Abbassiya, Cairo.
The Pope asked worshippers to take five minutes before noon in silent prayer and contemplation, offering their hearts to God and asking for His mercy for people across the world. Following that, everyone would join in the Lord’s Prayer and the “Lord have mercy” chant said in the Coptic Liturgy.
The chant is a very simple one and is sung to a distinctive melody that profoundly expresses supplication. The words say:
“Have mercy on us, Lord Pantocrator,
“Have mercy on us, Lord our Saviour,
“Have mercy on us, Lord, again and again”.
Watani International
25 March 2020