Metropolitan Jonah expresses concern over Russian crisis, asks faithful to offer assistance through IOCC
In light of Russia’s record breaking heat wave—eight weeks of unprecedented high temperatures have resulted in over 500 massive fires nationwide, poor air quality, and the death of thousands, especially in western Russia—His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah shared the concern of the Holy Synod of Bishops, clergy, and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America in an August 13, 2010 letter addressed to His Holiness, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus.
“I write to convey our sincere concern for the great suffering that the land and people of Russia are currently undergoing,” wrote Metropolitan Jonah. “Together with Your Holiness and the Russian Orthodox Church, we lament the loss of lives, livelihood and property. God’s mysterious ways are often beyond our human capacity to comprehend. We join our prayers to yours in the pleas to Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ will provide the rains and winds that are necessary to quell the heat and to bring about the weather that will make recovery possible.”
Metropolitan Jonah also informed Patriarch Kirill that he would be “asking the priests and parishes of the Orthodox Church in America to offer special prayers for God’s mercies and for the relief of the afflicted and suffering.
“I am also asking that members of the Orthodox Church in America offer financial assistance through the International Orthodox Christian Charities [IOCC], which will convey our donations to the appropriate Church partners and Church programs in Russia,” Metropolitan Jonah added.
IOCC already has initiated contact with its partners in the Russian Orthodox Church to formulate an appropriate response to this latest humanitarian crisis which, in addition to the loss of life, has already destroyed approximately one-third of Russia’s wheat crop, forcing the country to suspend its wheat exports.
OCA faithful are encouraged to send financial assistance to the IOCC International Emergency Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term and other support to those in need through emergency aid and recovery assistance. To make a gift, please visit www.iocc.org, call toll free at 1-877-803-IOCC (4622), or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC, PO Box 630225, Baltimore, MD 21263-0225.
[IOCC, founded in 1992 as the official humanitarian aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas [SCOBA], has implemented over $330 million in relief and development programs in 33 countries around the world. IOCC has been providing emergency relief to Russia since the organization’s first airlift in 1992. Since that time, IOCC has implemented more than $60 million in aid projects throughout the Russian Federation.]