Thursday is observed as National Day of Prayer in the United States, as established by Congress and signed into law by President Harry Truman in 1952.
Toledo Prays invites the community to participate in the observation at Grace Church, 3700 Dorr St., Toledo. “Lift up the word; light up the world” is the theme of the gathering that begins with worship at 6:30 p.m., followed by prayer led by several area pastors until 8:30 p.m.
The MultiFaith Council of Northwest Ohio is holding a multifaith prayer event in front of the Lucas County Courthouse, 700 Adams St. in downtown Toledo, from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday. Members of different faiths and no faith will offer prayers and positive intentions for the country and the common good.
God’s House International Worship Center is holding a prayer service from 10 a.m. to noon with a focus on “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” The church is located at 1342 W. Sylvania Ave., Toledo.
The Northwest Ohio Prayer Breakfast and Dinner, featuring Ryan Bomberger and Matt Hammitt as keynote speakers, is another local observation. Reservations were requested by last week.
Buddhist Temple to honor Buddha’s birthday
The Buddhist Temple of Toledo will commemorate the birth of the Buddha on May 5 with its annual Vesak ceremony.
The observance celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Siddhartha Gautama, or the Buddha, who was born in the 6th century B.C. His birthday is traditionally celebrated on the first full moon of May.
First-time visitors are encouraged to attend the beginners class at 10 a.m. before the 11 a.m. Vesak ceremony. A vegetarian potluck lunch will follow.
The event is open to the public in person or via livestream. Those planning to attend in person are invited to bring fresh flowers to place at the altar.
The Buddhist Temple is located at 3902 Emmajean Rd., Toledo. Go to Facebook.com/BuddhistTempleOfToledo for details.
Russian Church suspends Navalny-tied priest
The patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church has suspended a priest who participated in services for the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Dmitry Safronov took part in Navalny's funeral as well as presiding at the commemoration on March 26, the 40th day after his death — an important Russian Orthodox tradition.
An order published Tuesday on the Moscow Diocese website demoted Safronov from his position as priest to that of a psalm-reader and stripped him of the right to give blessings or wear a cassock for three years. He also was transferred to another church in the capital.
No reason was given for the decision, which was signed by Patriarch Kirill, a key ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Navalny, 47, died Feb. 16 in the remote Arctic penal colony where he had been serving a 19-year sentence on extremism charges that were widely seen as politically motivated. The cause of death remains unexplained, although the politician’s allies have blamed the Kremlin for it.
Russian authorities initially refused to release Navalny’s body, citing the need for further investigations. Safronov was among the clergymen who signed a public letter calling for the remains to be returned to his family.
During his more than two decades in power, Putin has boosted the standing of the Russian Orthodox Church, increasing its prestige, wealth, and power after decades of oppression or indifference under Soviet leaders.
In turn, its leaders, like Kirill, have supported his initiatives. The church has thrown its weight behind the war in Ukraine and it has been commonplace to see its clergymen blessing troops and equipment for the campaign.
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