MariaRegina
3rd January 2005, 08:40 PM
January 3, 2005
_____
December 26, 2004 was a day of devastation for thousands of people in
southern Asia and East Africa when the largest earthquake in 40 years caused
millions of tons of water from the Indian Ocean to come toppling on shore.
According to the latest reports, over 155,000 people are dead across 12
nations. The area which received the worst impact was the Indonesian island
of Sumatra, which was closest to the epicenter. The U.N. children’s agency
estimates that some 60% of Band Aceh, the main city in northern Sumatra was
destroyed.
A recent press release from the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and
South East Asia reports the following:
There is a significant Orthodox presence on the Indonesian island of
Sumatra, including numerous churches, schools, and other philanthropic
sites. His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas has been in contact with
Indonesian Orthodox clergy and Orthodox brethren in southern India since the
time of the disaster and is able to report that none of the faithful have
been seriously injured, and very little damage has been done to churches and
related buildings. Since most of the affected Orthodox faithful reside in
Medan, on the eastern coast of North Sumatra in Indonesia, there was concern
that the powerful earthquake could have caused serious damage. Though not
directly affected by this disaster, the OMHKSEA has chosen to act as an
intermediary between those who have suffered great losses and those who
would like to help them recover.
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center’s sister organization, IOCC
(International Orthodox Christian Charities) is working with His Eminence
Metropolitan Nikitas of the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and
Southeast Asia to extend the network of church-based humanitarian relief in
the region. IOCC is also developing a regional response to the crisis with
its longtime partner, Church World Service (CWS).
The Mission Center encourages all the Orthodox faithful in the United States
and Canada to support this relief work. To make a donation and learn more
about IOCC’s response please go to www.iocc.org <http://www.iocc.org/> .
In times of greatest tragedy it is our faith that sees us through. May God
comfort and bless the grieving, the homeless and the suffering.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center: Helping Orthodox Christians respond
to Christ's call to preach, teach, baptize, minister to the poor and make
disciples of all nations as the official international mission agency of
SCOBA.
_____
December 26, 2004 was a day of devastation for thousands of people in
southern Asia and East Africa when the largest earthquake in 40 years caused
millions of tons of water from the Indian Ocean to come toppling on shore.
According to the latest reports, over 155,000 people are dead across 12
nations. The area which received the worst impact was the Indonesian island
of Sumatra, which was closest to the epicenter. The U.N. children’s agency
estimates that some 60% of Band Aceh, the main city in northern Sumatra was
destroyed.
A recent press release from the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and
South East Asia reports the following:
There is a significant Orthodox presence on the Indonesian island of
Sumatra, including numerous churches, schools, and other philanthropic
sites. His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas has been in contact with
Indonesian Orthodox clergy and Orthodox brethren in southern India since the
time of the disaster and is able to report that none of the faithful have
been seriously injured, and very little damage has been done to churches and
related buildings. Since most of the affected Orthodox faithful reside in
Medan, on the eastern coast of North Sumatra in Indonesia, there was concern
that the powerful earthquake could have caused serious damage. Though not
directly affected by this disaster, the OMHKSEA has chosen to act as an
intermediary between those who have suffered great losses and those who
would like to help them recover.
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center’s sister organization, IOCC
(International Orthodox Christian Charities) is working with His Eminence
Metropolitan Nikitas of the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and
Southeast Asia to extend the network of church-based humanitarian relief in
the region. IOCC is also developing a regional response to the crisis with
its longtime partner, Church World Service (CWS).
The Mission Center encourages all the Orthodox faithful in the United States
and Canada to support this relief work. To make a donation and learn more
about IOCC’s response please go to www.iocc.org <http://www.iocc.org/> .
In times of greatest tragedy it is our faith that sees us through. May God
comfort and bless the grieving, the homeless and the suffering.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center: Helping Orthodox Christians respond
to Christ's call to preach, teach, baptize, minister to the poor and make
disciples of all nations as the official international mission agency of
SCOBA.