Prayers, concern of North American faithful conveyed to Japanese Orthodox Church
In a letter addressed to His Eminence, Metropolitan Daniel, the Primate of the Autonomous Orthodox Church in Japan, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah and the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America convey the prayers and concern of the OCA’s clergy and faithful during the ongoing tragedy.
The text of the letter reads as follows.
“Your Eminence: The tragedy that has struck the Japanese nation has deeply touched all the world’s people. The three dimensions of the tragedy - earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident - have brought overwhelming suffering to the people of Japan. We convey to you the deep sympathy of the all people of the United States and Canada.
“It is especially our desire to convey to you and the whole Orthodox Church of Japan the solidarity and love of the Orthodox Church in America. The Holy Synod, together with the clergy and lay people, send to you our condolences for the deaths of so many. We pray for those who have died and for those who have been wounded, we pray for the suffering families and communities.
“In the parishes and monastic communities of the Orthodox Church in America public prayers are being offered for the suffering people of Japan. In a spirit of prayer and compassion, our faithful are responding to our appeal by giving their financial gifts and donations to International Orthodox Christian Charities for its support of disaster relief work in Japan. IOCC is doing its humanitarian work on behalf of our Church and all Orthodox Christians in North America as an ambassador of Christ’s compassion and love.
“Please convey our message of sympathy and love to the parishes and to the families of clergy and laity of your Holy Church suffering directly from the devastation of the disasters.
“May the grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit enable us to build up the Body of Christ in Japan and in America. And may we as the Body of Christ be strengthened in building human community characterized by mutual care and mutual support.”