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Published by the
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America,
August 30, 2005
Special
Encyclical for the Hurricane Katrina
Disaster Relief Fund |
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Protocol
88/05
August 30, 2005
To the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks
and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the
Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox
Communities, the Day, Afternoon, and Church
Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the
Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the
entire Greek Orthodox Family in America
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I write this letter on behalf of the Holy
Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of America in the wake of the
fatalities, heavy damage, and trauma caused by
Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Mississippi, and
Alabama. This natural disaster has affected
entire communities throughout these States, and
today many thousands of people are mourning the
painful loss of their loved ones, their homes,
and their businesses as a result of the violent
storm.
As an Orthodox Christian community, our first
and foremost response must be a call to prayer
for the eternal rest of those who lost their
lives and for comfort and strength to be granted
by the merciful God to those left behind. Our
prayers, however, must also be joined by a
tangible expression of material assistance, so
that those affected by this tragedy may receive
the help that they need to recover from this
overwhelming catastrophe.
We therefore make an appeal to the Greek
Orthodox faithful of America to please respond
generously to a special collection that will be
made this Sunday, September 4, or at the latest
on Sunday, September 11, in every parish
throughout the Holy Archdiocese during the
Divine Liturgy. Your financial contributions
should be forwarded to the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese, and designated exclusively for our
Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fund.
In this difficult period of aftermath, we are
moved as Greek Orthodox Christians to remember
the inspiring words of St. Paul, "weep with
those who weep" (Romans 12:15) and "put on
heartfelt compassion" (Colossians 3:12). Knowing
of your boundless generosity and your abiding
love one for another, we are confident that you
will do whatever you can to offer as much
comfort as possible to our neighbors who have
been affected by this tragedy. May God keep you
always in the shelter of His loving protection.
With paternal love in Christ,
+DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America
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