Vespers · Raising of Incense
The Litany of the Travellers
Priest
Our fathers and brethren who are travelling…
And those who intend to travel anywhere, make straight all their ways, whether by sea, river, lake, road, air, or by any other means — everyone in every place, restore to a haven of calm; a haven of safety.
Graciously accompany them on their departure and on their journey. Return them to their families in joy and good health. Be a fellow worker with Your servants in every good work.
And for us also, O Lord, our sojourn in this life, keep without harm, without storm, and without disturbance until the end.
In this litany we pray for our fathers and brethren who are travelling. The Church wants to emphasise the lesson of caring for others, especially those absent from us in the body. It is the spirit of fellowship that should dominate our Church life.
Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
— Romans 12:16
(...) But I was very kind.
— Job 31:31-32
For the stranger did not spend the night outside;
And my door was opened to every one who came;
“I am a sojourner and a stranger among you. Give me therefore a
— Genesis 23:4
burial place among you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.”
“Hear my prayer, O Lord,
— Psalm 38:13
And give ear to my supplication;
Do not be silent at my tears,
For I am a sojourner before You,
And a stranger, as were all my fathers.
(...) distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
— Romans 12:13
I am a sojourner on the earth;
— Psalm 118:19
Do not hide Your commandments from me.
Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.
— Hebrews 13:1-3
The Bible specifically teaches us to care for the traveller, the guest, and the stranger. For example, hospitality towards guests and strangers was one of the traits of Job the righteous. And our fathers always felt that they were strangers and travellers on earth.
Jesus encouraged hospitality towards strangers when He considered that whoever receives a stranger is as if he welcomed the Lord Himself. And showing hospitality should be done joyfully.
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
— 1 Peter 4:9
for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;
— Matthew 25:35
We pray that God facilitates their journeys and prevents accidents, disasters, and breakdowns, with travelling by sea, rivers, lakes, air, roads, or any other form of travel. We pray for everyone in every place, whether we know them or not, whether they share our faith or not. It is a prayer for all of humanity who are on their daily journeys for livelihood, work, leisure, and visits. We pray for God to bring them back to a haven of calm, a haven of safety.
The church praise not only for a safe and sound arrival, but also that God accompanies them in the beginning of the journey and during the journey. May God send them an angel to guard them from the evils of the road, just as the chief of the angels, Raphael, was sent to a company Tobias on his long journey.
We conclude the prayers by praying for ourselves, the strangers in this world, for we are also traveller to our heavenly homeland, desiring to return to it safely, triumphant, with a healthy body, soul, and spirit, to enjoy the company of the saints.
For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
— Philippians 1:23
For mortal man born of woman Is short-liv ed and full of wrath.
— Job 14:1-2
He falls like a flower that blooms,
And like a shadow, he does not continue.
Depart from him that he may rest,
— Job 14:6
And let him be pleased with his life as a hired labourer.