MOLEBEN – Molieben (from Church Slavonic Mol’ba – prayer, supplication) (L. Te Deum) A service of thanksgiving for favors received, or prayers of petition for protection from misfortune. It is a short liturgical service usually centered on a particular need or occasion: the new year, a journey, an illness, an act of thanksgiving, etc. It may be addressed to Christ, the Mother of God, or to saints. Its general structure is that of Matins, and it can be served either by request of the faithful or by decision of the parish Priest.