Orthodixie

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Statement/Appeal Regarding the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean Basin

December 29, 2004

Venerable Hierarchs, Esteemed Members of the Board of Trustees, and Beloved Clergy and Faithful of this God-Protected Archdiocese:

We hope and trust that you have had a most blessed and joyful Nativity celebration. We are writing to you on the threshold of a New Year which we pray will be filled with peace and tranquility throughout the world. It is in this spirit that we also make this appeal to you.

You have all no doubt been following the news of the terrible devastation in Southern Asia, in the wake of the powerful tidal waves that swept across the Indian Ocean, striking the countries of Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Burma, and Malaysia. The current estimates place the number of dead in excess of 60,000, with disaster experts predicting that the death toll could reach 100,000. This does not account for the enormous numbers of injured and homeless people due to this tragedy.

In my entire life, I have not witnessed a natural disaster that has caused human tragedy on this scale. It brings pain to all of us that the people in this part of the world, who already suffer more than their share of poverty, must also endure this suffering. Two of the Fathers of the Holy Orthodox Church speak with power and conviction regarding our responsibility as Christians in this time of need:

“The price of the Kingdom is the food that you give to those who need it.” – St. Leo the Great

“Feeding the hungry is a greater work than raising the dead.” – St. John Chrysostom

We completely support the efforts of the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) to respond to this emergency need. We call on all members of this Archdiocese to contribute generously to this appeal through the IOCC. Specific information on how to contribute can be found H E R E.

Praying that you will have a blessed New Year, I remain,

Your Father in Christ,

Metropolitan PHILIP

Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America

Remember all the archeological news about the ossuary of James, the brother of our Lord? It may be a H O A X.

Tsunami: A Japanese term which has been universally adopted to describe a large seismically generated sea wave which is capable of considerable destruction in certain coastal areas, especially where underwater earthquakes occur.

Current news reports put the death toll at around 60,000 … with more to come.

A special Tsunami Blog has been established to aid in news & relief efforts.

Pictures of the destruction and videos of the Tsunami itself are available HERE. Thanks to Classical Anglican.

I’d originally planned to blog on the Holy Innocents today. But, given the overwhelming Tsunami tragedy, this icon speaks to the remembrance of the dead — both those innocents slain by Herod nearly 2,000 years ago, and those, especially the children, who died in the waters of South East Asia this week. Thanks to James.

The International Orthodox Christian Charities organization is collecting money towards relief. Visit them HERE.

No advantages do you offer those who love you, O world, you dwelling-place of sorrows. All who draw near to you do you seduce with your treasures and with all your delights, but in the day of death both the fair countenance of the beautiful and the might of the strong will be cast down into the grave. Woe to him who loves you and is loved by you, for his joy will be transformed into cries.

In the world — the sea of sin — all my days have passed in vain. My life has gone by without bringing me any profit. I have even forgotten about the day of death. I have whirled about and gathered a burden of sins, whole sheaves of tares destined to be consumed by fire. And behold — lamentation and sighs await me in that land full of horrors.

Because I have loved you, O cunning world, from youth through old age, the time of my life has passed without my notice; and lo, in sin will death steal me away. O, if only I had never set foot in you, O world that deceives all who enter! Those who love you enjoy no pleasures, and those who hate you weep not. Blessed is he who has torn your snares asunder — he shall inherit the habitation of joy.

This world deceives even the wise with its appearance, for at times it appears desirable. It even offers benefits and treasures for loan, but in the day of death it will take them back and give in return torment incomparably greater than our sins. For a short while will it let us sin, but as a reward it will give us eternal darkness.

Righteous art Thou, O Lord, and righteous is Thy judgment that condemns the world and those who love it! Therefore do I pray Thee that Thy right hand which pulled Simon out of the sea might also pull me out of the waves and the tumult of this world that rise up against me. I have become mired in filth; the waters of the world are drowning me, they do not let me break loose to catch my breath. May Thy Cross, O Lord, be my staff and my support on the path along which I walk.

— St Ephraim the Syrian

Taken from A Spiritual Psalter.

Jan Bear nails it.