ΙΕΡΑ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΗ

ΑΜΕΡΙΚΗΣ

                                                December 30, 2004

The Reverend Clergy

Esteemed Members of the Parish Councils, Philoptochos Societies,

Faculty & Students of the Catechetical and Greek Afternoon Schools,

Directors and Participants of all Youth Organizations, and all devout

Orthodox Christians of the Greek Orthodox Communities of our Holy Metropolis of New Jersey

Beloved in the Lord,

            It is with great anguish and a sense of desolation that I greet all of you just days after the horrific and unprecedented Biblical disaster that has taken place in Southern Asia. All of us are in a dismal state of awe as we receive news reports that the death toll has surpassed 150,000 people, many of which are children.

            The tremendous earthquake that struck off the coast of Indonesia was the fourth largest in recorded history and has been the cause of gigantic Tsunamis that have wrecked havoc on the coastal regions of the countries that are on the Indian Ocean perimeter. This international calamity has adversely affected countless lives, many of which are under the spiritual jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia of our Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Indeed, all of us as Orthodox Christians share in the unspeakable pain and grief of the families of the victims, as we “weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15)

            It is in catastrophic and life-taking tragedies such as this, that we must put into practice the words of our Lord who said, “do good and lend, hoping for nothing in return…therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful,” (Luke 6:35-36) and to “be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.” (1 Peter 3:8) Truly, now is the time to join our prayers with Christians the world over that our “Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3) will be “gracious and full of compassion…and great in mercy.” (Psalm 145:8)

            In an effort to spiritually assist our brethren who are reeling from this horrendous tragedy, and as your Metropolitan and spiritual leader, I exhort all you to pray fervently, for the repose of the countless souls and for the health and well being of the survivors, at a special prayer service to be held on Sunday, January 9, 2005, following Holy Communion (after “Blessed is the Name…”), so that collectively we may offer our prayers and support in this time of desperate need.

May Peace, Mercy and Hope reign in the New Year 2005 and may the Blessings of our Compassionate and Loving Lord be with all of you.

                                                               With Paternal Love and Blessings,

                                                            †E V A N G E L O S                                                                     Metropolitan of New Jersey

To be read from the Pulpit

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