In close consultation with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, who was personally affected by the loss of relatives, the Executive Committee of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, voted unanimously on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 to donate $50,000 through the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for earthquake relief.
“In initiating the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Earthquake Relief Fund,” His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros explained, “the focus of our Archdiocese is to help with both the immediate needs and the longer-term implications of the devastation from the deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. Our Archdiocese will partner with International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) to identify trusted organizations for aid distribution.”
Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Order, stated: “The magnitude of this disaster is truly heart-rending, and the fervent prayers of all the Archons and our families are with those who are bereaved and suffering. We are grateful to our loving and merciful God that we are able to provide this measure of relief for those who are enduring this calamity.”
As with all Executive Committee decisions, this decision will be formally ratified at the Order’s next National Council Meeting, which will be scheduled at the John Halecky, Jr. 19th Annual Archon National Lenten Retreat at the Dormition Greek Orthodox Church in Southampton, New York on March 31 and April 1, 2023.
More than 28,000 people were killed and tens of thousands were injured after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Türkiye and Syria on Monday, February 6, 2023.
On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew communicated by telephone with His Beatitude Patriarch of Antioch John X, and expressed to him the support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate amid the unspeakable catastrophe, which took place in areas that are ecclesiastically under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Antioch.
The Order extended its deepest sympathy to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros on the loss of his relatives in this tragedy.
