The Orthodox Church News Magazine
Editorial of September-October 2006
Volume 42, Numbers 9/10
The Orthodox Church News Magazine
Editorial of September-October 2006
Volume 42, Numbers 9/10
On September 11, 2006, New York Disaster Interfaith Services [NYDIS] held a commemorative event at Saint Paul’s Chapel in New York City, near the site of the Twin Towers (Ground Zero). In a simple, yet dignified, interfaith ceremony, those who died in the Twin Towers and under their rubble five years earlier were remembered with grief and love. Their suffering families and communities were embraced and upheld. New York City as a place of hope and mutual support was affirmed. And those who came to the support of New York City in its hour of need were remembered with gratitude.
At the heart of the event at Saint Paul’s Chapel was recognition of the many organizations and agencies that collaborated to provide disaster relief in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. These organizations and agencies represented many religious communities. They have provided many millions of dollars of aid, and provided support personnel who worked in a variety of capacities with a suffering and wounded community. They continue to support NYDIS in the framework of the Unmet Needs Roundtable. Among the “unmet needs” are the sicknesses that have struck the recovery workers of 9/11 as a direct consequence of their heroic presence and actions at Ground Zero.
It was very meaningful to be present at Saint Paul’s Chapel, together with priests of Orthodox parishes in New York City—Father David Kossey of Saint Mary’s Church [Carpatho-Russian], who is actively involved in the work of NYDIS, and Father Christopher Calin of the Holy Virgin Mary Protection Cathedral [Orthodox Church in America]. Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, shared his reflections about 9/11 with the assembly, and offered prayers for those who died and for those who live and bear the consequences of the atrocity.
For all of us, I am certain, it was especially meaningful to see that International Orthodox Christian Charities [IOCC] was recognized along with the other agencies. Nicholas Chakos of the IOCC staff in Baltimore and Beverly Yanich, a member of the IOCC Board of Directors and Chair of the Program Committee, represented IOCC in the ceremony. The presence and contributions of IOCC in the aftermath of 9/11 gives witness to an imperative of the Orthodox faith—to give shelter to the homeless, to provide food to the hungry and drink to the thirsty, to visit those who are sick. IOCC acts on behalf of Orthodox Christians in America, putting our Orthodox faith and our Orthodox preaching into practice in times of crisis and need.