Appeal to Prayer for Mother Johanna

With deep concern, yet in complete trust in the mercy of God, we address to you this urgent appeal to prayer for the Reverend Mother Johanna, Abbess of our Monastery in Asten, who is presently being severely tried by a serious illness.

Let us unite in prayer and take refuge in our good God, the Lover of mankind, imploring Him to assist her “through His loving mercy with the grace of the Holy Spirit. He who heals every illness and delivers from death, may He also heal His faithful servant, Mother Johanna, from her sickness of soul and body, and grant her life according to His good pleasure, so that she may fulfill, through good works, the thanksgiving and worship that are due to Him” (prayer taken from the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick).

We extend to Mother Johanna, as well as to Sister Taïssia and to all those who surround her with love and devoted care, our heartfelt wishes for strength, consolation, and the abundant grace of God.

We ask in a special way that all priests remember her particularly during the Divine Liturgy, and we invite all the faithful to carry her in their personal prayers.

May the Lord, Physician of souls and bodies, be near to her and accomplish in her His holy will.

Given at Brussels, on 3 January 2026

+ Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium Exarch of the Netherlands and Luxembourg