Metropolitan Theodosius Calls for Prayers in Wake of New York, Washington Terrorist Attacks

SYOSSET, NY—Immediately upon learning of the unprecidented terrorist attacks on New York City’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Washington, DC on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Theodosius, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, led members of the OCA Chancery staff in a Service of Prayer in Times of Tragedy in Saint Sergius Chapel here.

“It is in the midst of such crises—the likes of which we have never experienced—that our faith is especially tested,” Metropolitan Theodosius said after the service. “Our prayers are with all who have suffered and lost their lives in this horrible tragedy, and especially with their families, that ‘they may not be like those who have no hope,’ as Saint Paul reminds us. I also call upon the faithful of the Orthodox Church in America to pray all the more fervently for the eradication of the evil which prompts a complete lack of concern for human life.”

Metropolitan Theodosius called upon the faithful of the Orthodox Church in America “to gather in our churches across North America, especially as we approach the Great Feast of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross on Friday, September 14, and to offer fervent prayers to Our Lord, that senseless hatred and attacks against the innocent and vulnerable, both among the private citizenry and within the halls of government, cease.”

While an official statement by the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops on the tragedy is being drafted and is expected to be released shortly, the OCA Office of Communications is preparing special prayers and petitions for distribution to all parishes on the OCA’s web site and by mail.

Updates will be posted on the Orthodox Church in America web site at http://www.oca.org as further developments occur.