GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106 Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0215 Web: http://www.goarch.org Email: communications@goarch.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 29, 2007
Contact: Rev. Fr. Frank Marangos Tel.: 212-774-0244
ARCHDIOCESE ESTABLISHES GREEK FIRE RELIEF FUND
NEW YORK, NY ? In response to the catastrophic fires plaguing Greece, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of America, convened an emergency meeting of key advisors and staff members to mobilize the resources of the Archdiocese and greater community to respond to the tremendous needs of the people of this devastated nation. It was agreed that His Eminence would appoint a Special Committee of prominent Greek Americans who will oversee and coordinate the collection and distribution of monies raised by the Archdiocese through Her Greek Fire Relief Fund.
â??We are witnessing unbelievable losses of lives and property but also of the livelihoods of countless individuals who will need assistance for many years to recover from this calamityâ?? stated the Archbishop. â??Greece, the birthplace of democracy, the place where the Olympics Games were born, the cornerstone of Western Civilization is experiencing unprecedented destruction with over 650,000 acres of forest and farmland reduced to ashes and more than 61 lives which have been lost so far. It is our sacred duty and obligation to offer whatever assistance we can at this most critical timeâ?? His Eminence reflected.
Following the meeting, the Archbishop, spoke with Mr. Andrew S. Natsios, the United States Presidentâ??s Special Envoy for Sudan, who accepted to serve as Special Advisor to the Archbishop regarding the relief efforts of the Church in America. Mr. Natsios served as Director for the U.S. Agency for International Development (US Aid) which is the United States government agency that administers economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide. He has enormous experience in the area of offering philanthropic assistance and will employ his great experience and stellar reputation to assure that all funds collected for this disaster are used in the most responsible and efficient manner.
On Monday His Eminence was briefed by Mr. John Negroponte, the United States Deputy Secretary of State who updated the Archbishop about what steps the American government was taking to deal with the tragedy. His Eminence also received a call from the Ambassador of Greece to the United States, the Honorable Alexandros Mallias, in which they discussed the crisis.
A special encyclical was issued by the Eparchial Synod of the Holy Archdiocese which requested all parishes to offer special prayers on behalf of all those who have been adversely affected by this disaster and a special collection will take place in all churches for the Greek Fire Relief Fund of the Archdiocese. In addition, a major nationwide appeal will be made through the media for assistance from the general public, as well as a personal request from the Archbishop to prominent members of the Greek American community. Contributions can be made by visiting the Archdiocese webpage at www.goarch.org.