Metropolitan Herman asks for prayers as New Orleans braces for hurricane

— As residents of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama braced themselves on Sunday evening for Hurricane Katrina, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, called upon the faithful to pray that the predicted devastation would be minimal.

“According to reports, Hurricane Katrina is likely to be the worst storm to hit our shores in recorded history,” Metropolitan Herman said. “With winds exceeding 160 miles per hour and the chance for major shoreline and inland flooding, a half million residents have been ordered to evacuate their homes in New Orleans, a city that stands below sea level. Countless others along the Mississippi and Alabama shores and inland are also in extreme danger.

“I ask the faithful of our Church, and all people of faith and good will, to join me in prayer—that those in these areas will be protected and delivered from fear and harm, that potential destruction will be minimal, and that they will be spared from all calamity,” Metropolitan Herman added. “While homes and businesses can be rebuilt, lost lives cannot be replaced. Hence, let us pray that our brothers and sisters along the southern US coast will be spared, protected, and able to return to their homes without delay.”