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Where Two or Three Agree: Common Prayer at Orthodox House

August 16, 2026 · 1 min read

"Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 18:19). From these words of the Saviour grew one of the most beloved practices of Orthodox life: prayer by agreement, when the faithful — though scattered across cities and continents — pray the same prayer at the same appointed hour.

Orthodox House now carries this tradition online. At this moment 11 prayer groups gather 3 participants, each keeping a common hour of prayer. Every evening at 21:00 UTC the global group "Universal Prayer for Peace" lifts one voice for the peace of the whole world, and anyone may join it in a single click.

Each group keeps its own commemoration list — the names of the sick, the suffering, and the departed — so that no one is prayed for alone. When the hour draws near, a gentle notification reminds every member that the moment of common prayer has come.

You can also gather your own circle: for your parish, your diocese, or your whole Church, at whatever hour suits your community. Visit the Prayers section of Orthodox House Social, join tonight's prayer for peace, and let your voice be counted among the many that rise as one.

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💬 Comments (9) 🌐 Show original

Alejandro Romero

I like the idea of shared commemoration lists, that no one prays alone for their sick. At 21:00 UTC I'm already in bed, but I'll try to join the afternoon group that has my time. Does anyone know if the reminder can be set in Seville time?

Христина Панченко

My daughter is also often away due to her studies, so praying together for hours is exactly what is needed. I like memorial lists because it's easier when you don't pray alone for your patients. And 21:00 UTC is just convenient for us, I'll try to join tonight.

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მიხეილ აბაშიძე

I like this general list with names so that no one is left alone with their illness. My son is overseas now, so that's the kind of reminder I need at 9pm. I'll see if I can get my own little group together with our neighbors.

Maria Florea

I really like the idea of the common list of names, so that you don't have to pray alone for your sick ones. Here in Timișoara, the choir prays in the evening around the same time, so I will try to join the "Universal Prayer for Peace" tonight at 21:00 UTC. Does anyone know if the notification also comes in Romanian?

Ana Ciobanu

Yes, the shared list of names is the best thing here, you don't feel like you're carrying it all by yourself. I joined the evening group two weeks ago and the notification did indeed come in Romanian, with clear text. If you want, let me know how you felt tonight at 9:00 PM, I'm trying to be there too.

Софья Семёнова

In New York, with our children, there is often a bustle after dinner just in the evening at this time, but the idea of a general memorial note is very correct - you don’t feel alone with your sick ones. I'll try to join "Universal Prayer for Peace" at 21:00 UTC today and see how the reminder works. Is it possible to add names from the parish to your group?

Andrei Lungu

Yes, the shared list of names really changes everything, it's like you feel like you're part of a bigger family. I tried last night at 21:00 with the universal group and I liked how the prayer flows simply, without rush. Ana, which group did you join exactly, the regular evening one or the one for peace?

Viorica Lungu

Yes, that common list really connects you to others, it's like you feel that prayer has more weight. I watched the universal group last night at 21:00 and I found it soothing, especially the part with the remembrance of the sick. What name did you put on the list, Ana, if you don't mind saying?

Javier López

Yes, shared lists are the best, so you feel like you're not alone with your family names. I set the reminder at 21:00 UTC because it coincides with my son's bedtime, but in Seville that would be 22:00, right? Try to see if the app lets you adjust the time zone, it worked for me last week.