The Russian Orthodox Church advised Russians to pray for gasoline
In Russia, gasoline supply problems have even reached the church. Metropolitan Evgeny of Yekaterinburg and Verkhoturye stated that Russians should pray to Saint Spyridon of Trimythous so that fuel would reappear at gas stations.
According to the metropolitan, people naturally begin to worry when essential goods disappear from stores or gas stations. He mentioned not only gasoline but also sugar, flour, and buckwheat. “When sugar, flour, buckwheat, or gasoline run out, people worry about their families and about tomorrow. So this is a normal human reaction. It’s worth praying that everything will work out,” said Yevgeny.
He also stated that in the current situation, Russians “can only hope for a miracle.” “I think that praying is not just possible—it’s necessary,” the metropolitan noted.
According to him, in the coming days he himself plans to recite the “Our Father” prayer. However, he intends to pray not only for gasoline. The clergyman said he would ask for Russia’s financial well-being, a reduction in the Central Bank’s interest rate, and better conditions for people taking out mortgages. “In this prayer, God Himself said that we must ask for ‘our daily bread.’ And our daily bread includes, among other things, the Central Bank’s interest rate, as well as the country’s financial well-being,” the metropolitan explained.
Russia is indeed facing gasoline shortages
The advice to pray came amid serious problems in the Russian fuel market. In August, Ukrainian drones repeatedly attacked Russian oil refineries. According to Bloomberg’s estimates, 21 strikes on Russian oil refineries were recorded over the course of the month. This marked a record high since the start of the full-scale war.
At least six major refineries halted or reduced production of petroleum products. As a result, according to Bloomberg sources, gasoline production in Russia fell by approximately 20% year-over-year, and diesel fuel production by 23%. The problems are also evident directly at Russian gas stations. According to the “Benzonavt” service, as of August 24, AI-95 gasoline was unavailable at approximately 80% of the gas stations belonging to the largest chains. In some regions, the situation is even more dire. For example, on Sakhalin and in occupied Crimea, AI-95 was available at only 1–3% of gas stations, according to the service.
Russia Restricts Gasoline Sales
Due to the shortage, Russian authorities have begun imposing restrictions on gasoline sales. In August, at least 17 regions of Russia introduced or tightened limits on fuel sales. In some regions, drivers are allowed to fill up with no more than 30 or 40 liters at a time.
Such restrictions are in effect, in particular, in the Voronezh, Saratov, Omsk, Kurgan, Lipetsk, Kaluga, Orenburg, Leningrad, and Samara regions, as well as in the Zabaykalsky Krai. Gasoline shortages have forced Russia to increase imports of petroleum products. At the same time, Moscow has banned gasoline exports in an attempt to stabilize the domestic market.
Thus, the metropolitan’s call for prayers for gasoline came against the backdrop of a very real problem: the Russian oil refining industry has faced a decline in production, and in some regions, drivers are already having to search for fuel or stand in lines at gas stations. While Russian authorities are trying to stabilize the market through administrative measures and imports, the Russian Orthodox Church is suggesting adding another method to the mix—prayer. The clergyman made this statement on the Russian television channel OTV.
Gasoline production in Russia at the end of August fell to approximately 70% of domestic consumption levels. This was caused by the shutdowns of major oil refineries following drone attacks, which led to renewed fuel shortages in Russian regions.
