[Fwd: Help for terrorist, hurricane victims]

[Kris Groberg]

ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO TERRORIST, HURRICANE
VICTIMS

SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications/ September 5, 2004] -- As the Labor Day
weekend opened with round-the-clock media reports on the terrorist
attack on a school in Beslan, Russia and the worst hurricane in
Florida's history, members of the Orthodox Church in America flocked to
parish churches to offer prayers and initiate plans to offer financial
assistance for the victims of both tragedies.

"Hundreds of e-mails were received at the Orthodox Church in America
Chancery over the weekend enquiring as to how individuals and parishes
could offer assistance," said the Very Rev. John Matusiak, OCA
Communications Director.  "As soon as those in Russia and Florida have
fully assessed the immediate needs, an appeal for assistance will be
issued.  Since both tragedies are still evolving, it will take a few
days receive reports from those closest to the events."

It is ancitipated that funds to assist the victims of the Beslan
terrorist attack, which took the lives of an estimated 400 and left
hundreds of others injured, will be collected by the Orthodox Church in
America and channeled to those in need through well-established channels
within the Patriarchate of Moscow and such organizations as the
Baltimore-based International Orthodox Christian Charities.

Since there has been little on-site contact with clergy and other
representatives of the dozens of OCA parishes across Florida, many of
whom were evacuated with an estimated 2.5 million other state residents,
the needs of these communities have yet to be ascertained.  It is
assumed that parish properties, as well as the homes and businesses of
many faithful, have suffered serious damage, but as of Sunday evening no
specific assessments have been received.

"We have received reports of numerous parishes taking special
collections over the weekend," Father Matusiak noted.  "For example, the
faithful of Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Washington, DC mounted a
spontaneous collection for the Beslan terrorist victims and their
families that reportedly reached nearly $3,000.00."

It is expected that specific plans for special fund drives, as well as a
statement by the Church's Primate, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman,
will be posted on the OCA web site at www.oca.org as early as Tuesday,
September 7.

With headquarters in Syosset, New York, the Orthodox Church in America
numbers over 700 parishes, missions, monasteries, seminaries and
institutions throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

For additional information contact the Very Rev. John Matusiak, OCA
Communications Director, at 630.668.3071 or jjm at oca.org.

-- END --

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