Updates concerning OCA response to terrorist attacks available on website

The web site of the Orthodox Church in America—www.oca.org—is being updated regularly with additional information concerning the Church’s response to the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, DC on September 11, 2001.

“While a mailing to parishes containing the Statement of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Theodosius on behalf of the Holy Synod of Bishops concerning the tragedy, along with special prayers to be offered in all parishes and detailed information on the OCA’s relief efforts, has been prepared, it is uncertain at this time as to when the mailing can be sent, due to the cessation of flights,” said the Very Rev. John Matusiak of the OCA Communications Office. “The contents of the mailing may be found on the OCA web site at http://www.oca.org, however.”

Since not all parishes or clergy are connected to the internet, Protopresbyter Robert Kondratick, OCA Chancellor, is asking that clergy with internet access download the resources posted to the web site and share them with neighboring clergy and parishes. In the meantime, parishes will receive the mailing as soon as regular mail service is reestablished.

In a related story, statements by His Holiness, Patriarch Aleksy II of Moscow and All Russia and His Eminence, Metropolitan Kyrill of Smolensk, head of the Department of External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, have been posted on the web site.

“We have received numerous other reactions to the tragedy in response to the Statement of Metropolitan Theodosius and the Holy Synod,” Father Matusiak added. “We encourage all faithful, especially our clergy, to monitor the OCA web site regularly for further developments, and to share the information with neighboring parishes.”