American Diocese To Raise $2,50,000 As
Tsunami Relief
IOH News Service
New York Jan 1 2005:
"It was shocking to hear the Tsunami disaster and its aftermath
in South Asian countries. The unexpected calamities of nature
are always incomprehensible. As an initial contribution we are
making a donation of $5000 from our personal resources"" said
Mar Nicholovos.
Immediately after returning from the parishes they had their
Christmas Services, the Metropolitans of the American Diocese of
the Malankara Orthodox Church, decided to announce the
collection of a 'Tsunami Relief fund' by the diocese.
"All of us are aware of the devastating tidal wave that hit the
coasts of many of the Asian and African nations killing more
than one hundred thousand people. The reports point that many of
these nations without proper infrastructure and financial
resources are struggling to deal with the effects of the
disaster.
We find that it is our Christian obligation to help the needy in
whatever way we can. We are setting up a Disaster Relief Fund to
provide help to the people who have been affected by the Tsunami
Natural Disaster.
We exhort all of you to
contribute whole-heartedly for the cause, collect as much money
as possible, and send it to the American Diocese as early as
possible so that we can provide assistance to the needy",
informed the Metropolitans of the American diocese jointly vide
Kalpana No. CK.35/2004 on Dec.30, 2004.
"We are expecting $2,50,000 from all of the parishes from
American diocese for this noble cause. Hope everyone will rise
to the occasion to contribute liberally and wholeheartedly" said
H.G. Mar Zachariahs Nicholovos to Indian Orthodox Herald.
"One of our young priests, Fr. John Joshby Thomas was preparing
for Holy Qurbana on 26th morning when Tsunami struck. He along
with the people had to flee to the forest and to a hilly place
to save their lives and they stayed on the hill for three full
days before they were evacuated on Wednesday, 29 Dec. They were
literally starving on the hill! .Now they are back in Port
Blair", said the Madras diocesan Metropolitan Dr. Yakob Mar
Irenaios in Madras.
( Indian Orthodox Herald
Release, January 1, 2005 )
The huge tidal waves caused
a massive death toll of more than 150, 000 lives in South
Asia. A picture of a sri lankan beach being flooded due to
tsunami waves.
