Updates from Middle East
Posted August 14, 2006UN Resolution 1701 regarding the cease fire in Lebanon.
Posted August 9, 2006Status of proposed cease fire resolution Posted August 8, 2006URGENT APPEAL IN REGARDS TO THE SUFFERING PEOPLE OF LEBANON. Beloved Faithful and Friends of the Self-ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America: We are currently undertaking a massive appeal for funds to aid the suffering people of Lebanon (See Metropolitan PHILIP’s letter of July 25 by clicking here). Since His Eminence wrote that appeal the situation has grown even more dire. There are now more than 1000 people who have been killed and about 3000 wounded. In addition, more than 1,000,000 Lebanese have been displaced from their homes, becoming refugees in their own country. This sad reality, coupled with the Israeli blockade by land, sea and air, has created a humanitarian disaster that is growing more and more unbearable on a daily basis. Children are without food and mothers are without milk for their babies. The elderly are without medicine and essential medical treatments. Metropolitan PHILIP has already forwarded $100,000 in advance to His Eminence, Metropolitan ELIAS of Beirut, to help with the overflow of refugees that the Archdiocese of Beirut is trying to comfort and help, however, the need is so much greater. We therefore appeal to you to immediately send donations through your local parish or directly to the Archdiocese. At the same time, we urge the pastors of the parishes to work diligently to collect all the donations and forward them to the Archdiocese as soon as possible. Posted August 7, 2006ARAB FOREIGN MINISTERS SHOW SOLIDARITY IN SUPPORT OF LEBANON
Posted August 4, 2006
Posted August 3, 2006Hagel Floor Statement on the Current Situation in the Middle East Contact Senator Hagel directly from his website. Support Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Nebraska) As He Speaks Out Against The Killing and Destruction In The Middle East Senator Hagel's full contact information:
THE WATER OF CANA IS TURNED INTO BLOOD
Cana (modern spelling is “Qana”) is a little village in South Lebanon which was blessed by the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, his Holy Mother and his disciples. Cana is the Village where Christ performed his first miracle by changing the water into wine at the marriage feast. (John 2: 1-11). Thus, Cana is deeply rooted in our Christian history. Read more...
Letter from Metropolitan HERMAN, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America to Metropolitan PHILIP
Letter from Fr. John Finley of the Department of Missions and Evangelism
YOU SHOULD TAKE ACTION NOW!
APPEAL TO BE READ FROM THE PULPIT - July 25, 2006
CLICK HERE TO READ FULL RESOLUTION
LETTER FROM AL-KAFAAT IN LEBANON
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Photos of the tragedy in the Middle East
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This photo gallery is a collection of graphic images that express the sadness and destruction of the tragic events in Middle East. Please continue to pray that our Lord, Jesus Christ, will grant His great mercy to His suffering children and bring a peaceful ending to these tragic times. Posted August 14, 2006
Posted August 9, 2006
Posted August 8, 2006
Posted August 7, 2006
August 4, 2006
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Arab Foreign Ministers show solidarity in support of Lebanon
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ARAB FOREIGN MINISTERS SHOW SOLIDARITY IN SUPPORT OF The Foreign Ministers who represent the countries of the Arab League, meeting in Beirut today, unanimously supported the Lebanese plan for an immediate cease fire. They also decided to send a delegation, chaired by the Secretary General of the Arab League, to meet with the UN Security Council for the purpose of proposing amendments to the draft France/United States resolution regarding the war in the Middle East. |
August 4, 2006 : The Standing Conference of American Middle-Eastern Christian and Muslim Religious Leaders Convenes in an Emerge
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The Most Reverend |
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America |
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The Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THE STANDING CONFERENCE OF AMERICAN MIDDLE-EASTERN CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM RELIGIOUS LEADERS CONVENES IN AN EMERGENCY SESSION AND ISSUES A RESOLUTION DEALING WITH THE CRISIS IN LEBANON. Metropolitan Philip (Saliba), Chairman and Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America The following members were not able to attend the meeting: Most Rev. Archbishop Cyril Salim Bustros, Eparch of Newton, Diocese of Newton, MA The members discussed the enormous crisis that has been caused in Lebanon by the Israeli bombing and ground offensive. These Israeli military actions have killed more than 900 Lebanese, and have displaced almost 1 million Lebanese citizens from their homes. The vast majority of those Lebanese who have been killed are civilians, and more than one-third of them have been children. The members of the Standing Conference expressed their solidarity by unanimously approving the following resolution: 1. A call for an immediate and unconditional cease fire to stop the death and destruction 2. A call for the exchange of prisoners between Lebanon and Israel 3. A call for Israel to withdraw from the Shib’aa Farms, which Israel has occupied since 1967, and all other occupied Lebanese lands 4. A call for the international community to give immediate humanitarian assistance to those who are suffering, and to help hundreds of thousands of displaced Lebanese citizens to return to their cities, villages, and homes 5. A call for the international community to help Lebanon rebuild the infrastructure that has been destroyed by Israeli aggression. 6. A call for the UN to investigate the massacre at Qana which took place on Sunday July 30, 2006 7. Support for the statement which was issued by the religious leaders of Lebanon who met in Pkerki – August 1, 2006 8. A call for the implementation of all UN resolutions that address occupied territories in Lebanon and the entire region 9. A statement deploring the killing of any human being, and reiterating that all killing is against our religious beliefs The assembled religious leaders also focused on fundraising appeals that have been made by every denomination to their faithful. It is hoped that this fundraising will result in generous support which will be sent directly to ease some measure of suffering for the people of Lebanon. A reporter and photographer from the New Jersey press corps were also present to conduct interviews and take photographs of the assembly. An interview was conducted with Metropolitan Philip, and with His Excellency Tarek Mitri, Lebanese Minister of Culture and acting Foreign Minister. They both stressed the urgent need for an immediate cease fire, the exchange of prisoners between Israel and Lebanon, and the Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese lands. Photos below...
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“…the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” ACTS 11:26 |
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Support Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Nebraska) As He Speaks Out Against The Killing and Destruction In The Middle East
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Hagel Floor Statement on the Current Situation in the Middle East July 31st, 2006 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) delivered the following statement on the Senate floor today regarding the current situation in the Middle East: "Mr. President, The Middle East is a region in crisis. After three weeks of escalating and continuing violence, the potential for wider regional conflict becomes more real each day. The hatred in the Middle East is being driven deeper and deeper into the fabric of the region ... which will make any lasting and sustained peace effort very difficult to achieve. How do we realistically believe that a continuation of the systematic destruction of an American friend, the country and people of Lebanon, is going to enhance America's image and give us the trust and credibility to lead a lasting and sustained peace effort in the Middle East? The sickening slaughter on both sides must end now. President Bush must call for an immediate cease fire. This madness must stop”. SENATOR CHUCK HAGEL (R-NEBRASKA) HAS BECOME THE ONE LONE VOICE OF COURAGE IN THE UNITES STATES SENATE. HE HAS DEFIED THE TREND OF DEFENDING ISRAELI AGRESSION WITHOUT CONDITIONS AND DEHUMANIZING ALL ARABS AND MUSLIMS. PLEASE CONTACT SENATOR HAGEL AND OFFER WORDS OF THANKS AND ENCOURAGEMENT FOR HIS LONE BUT POWERFUL VOICE. IF WE DO NOT SUPPORT THOSE VOICES LIKE SENATOR HAGEL'S COUNTLESS INNOCENT PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE TO SUFFER IN SILENCE WHILE THEIR HOMELANDS ARE SYSTEMATICALLY DESTROYED. THANK HIM FOR HIS WORDS, THANK HIM FOR HIS WISDOM, THANK HIM FOR HIS COURAGE, THANK HIM FOR REMINDING US THAT THERE ARE POLITICIANS WHO WILL TAKE RISKS TO LOUDLY PROCLAIM WHAT IS RIGHT! PLEASE CONTACT THE SENATOR'S DC OFFICE NOW Washington, D.C. Office |
The Water of Cana is Turned into Blood
By Metropolitan PHILIP
July 31, 2006
Cana (modern spelling is “Qana”) is a little village in South Lebanon which was blessed by the presence of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, his Holy Mother and his disciples. Cana is the Village where Christ performed his first miracle by changing the water into wine at the marriage feast. (John 2: 1-11). Thus, Cana is deeply rooted in our Christian history.
Unfortunately, in modern times and due to the conflict between Israel and Arab nations, including Lebanon, Cana has been the victim of Israeli aggression twice: once in April 1996, when an Israeli rocket killed 105 Lebanese men, women and children. And second, on Sunday morning, July 30, 2006, when an Israeli rocket killed 60 people, including 37 children. This indiscriminate killing is against the Geneva Convention, the United Nations Charter and all laws of civilized nations.
This savage war is between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanon has no air force, no navy and no large military force. As a matter of fact, the Lebanese army is not involved in this war at all. This war, then, is between Israel and Hezbollah. Why is Israel bombing Lebanese cities, villages, bridges, roads and killing innocent men, women and children – in the south and north, east and west of Lebanon? According to UN statistics, more than 800 civilians have been killed, many of them children, and more then 800,000 Lebanese have been made refugees in their own country. Israel knows very well where Hezbollah is. Why doesn’t Israel fight Hezbollah on its own turf? Why is Israel bombing civilian cars, motorcycles and pickup trucks carrying food for hungry people and medical supplies for the wounded? Lebanon is a poor country; the devastated infrastructure will cost billions of dollars to rebuild.
We deplore the killing and destruction on both sides. We know that Hezbollah has some weapons which are causing some unfortunate killing and destruction in Israel. But Hezbollah does not have American weapons such as F-16s, F-15s, Apaches and smart bombs, etc……
When I saw the Lebanese Red Cross retrieving the tender dead bodies of little children from underneath the rubble and I looked at their innocent faces and iconic eyes, I wept. I was indeed ashamed to see the extent of the cruelty and barbarism of our world. This morning, when the Lebanese Broadcasting Company showed pictures of the city of B’int-Jbeil which was completely leveled by the Israeli air force, I was reminded of the destruction of Stalingrad and Berlin during the Second World War. We and the whole world, with the exception of the United States, Great Britain, and Israel, are calling for an immediate cease fire. If we allow the law of the jungle to prevail, and if we allow our moral principles to be trodden on by barbarian feet, what will be left of our civilization?
The behavior of Mr. Ehud Olmert in this war reminds me of the behavior of his ancestor of old, Joshua, recorded in the Book of Joshua 6:21. “And they (Joshua’s army) destroyed all that was in the city (Jericho) both man and woman, both young and old, and ox, and sheep and ass with the edge of the sword.” Thanks to Mr. Olmert, nothing is left in B’int-Jbeil except some starving dogs feeding on corpses.
Take Action Now!
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TAKE ACTION:
Your Message:
As an American Christian of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America with a commitment to peacemaking and concern for all the peoples of the Middle East who are suffering in this current crisis, I appeal to President George W. Bush and the United States Congress to take action to achieve an immediate cease-fire.
Background Points:
I am grieved over the tragic loss of life and suffering among the peoples of Lebanon, Gaza, and all the people of the region and I am concerned about the dire humanitarian crisis that is unfolding as a result of the violence.
I support intensive US diplomatic efforts, in cooperation with parties in the region and the United Nations, to bring about an immediate cease-fire and to achieve the following results:
• end the escalating violence
• protect civilian lives and prevent their further displacement
• commit the necessary funds and resources to return Lebanese refugees to their cities, villages, and homes
• prevent the further destruction of infrastructure in Lebanon and Gaza
• secure the exchange of Lebanese and other Arab prisoners for the captured Israeli soldiers and
• begin a political process that ends the current crisis and paves the way toward a comprehensive Middle East peace.
Contact Info:
Email or Call your Senators and Representatives.
Call the White House Comment Line: 202-456-1111.
Letter from Metropolitan HERMAN, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America to Metropolitan PHILIP
Letter from Fr. John Finley of the Department of Missions and Evangelism
Click here to read the letter from Fr. John Finley (Download PDF version)
Resolution - July 20, 2006
Metropolitan PHILIP's Lebanon Appeal, July 25, 2006
Click here to download the Appeal.
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The Most Reverend |
Archbishop of New York and |
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The Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese 358 Mountain Road, P.O. Box 5238, Englewood, NJ 07631-5238 |
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TO BE READ FROM THE PULPIT AND PUBLISHED IN THE PARISH BULLETIN July 25, 2006 Brother Hierarchs, Reverend Clergy, Esteemed Members of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees, Parish Councils and God-fearing Faithful of our Archdiocese: Greetings in the name of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I write to you while the bombs are falling on Lebanon. As you have been hearing in the media (i.e. television, newspapers and the internet), Lebanon is being systematically destroyed, both the infrastructure and, more importantly, the people. Everyone agrees that the result is a humanitarian disaster for the people of Lebanon. As of today, there are close to 400 Lebanese men, women and children who have been killed. The number of displaced Lebanese is approaching one million! We see in the news men, women and children being killed, maimed and burned by phosphate bombs. At the same time, Red Cross ambulances carrying the sick and wounded are being targeted; airports, communications systems, bridges and roads have been destroyed and entire neighborhoods have been leveled. To put things in real and human terms, we were recently informed of one of our faithful from the Archdiocese of Zahle who was driving with his two children. An Israeli bomb hit their car, seriously injuring the father and one child and killing the other, a 15 year old boy. Just yesterday, a family of eight was killed in their home by an Israeli bomb. These are but two stories from among thousands. My beloved faithful, Lebanon is part of our Patriarchate of Antioch and all the East. So many of the people of our Archdiocese have their spiritual and cultural roots in Lebanon and especially in Beirut and South Lebanon (such as Jdeidet Marj’ayoun) where the majority of the destruction is taking place. Yesterday, I spoke with Metropolitan ELIAS of Beirut and he told me of the deplorable and dire conditions in his archdiocese and the Archdiocese of Tyre and Sidon (South Lebanon). He asked for our fervent prayers and help for Lebanon. I assured him of our unceasing prayers and that we will do our part to help. Therefore, I appeal to you to give generously to help the suffering people of Lebanon. Finally, as we prepare to begin the Dormition Fast on August 1, let us beseech the most-holy Theotokos to intercede for the suffering people of Lebanon. Your Father in Christ, +Metropolitan PHILIP Please make your checks payable to your local parish, marking them “Lebanon Relief.” |
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Letter from Al-Kafaat in Lebanon
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Most Reverend Metropolitan PHILIP Saliba Your Eminence, I am writing to you this letter with tears in my eyes, but with a strong will of survival as always. I simply wish to let you know that my family and I are safe. Our five centers that lie in the midst of the area targeted by the Israelis have so far been spared. Bombs are falling few meters away from the centers, causing severe damages to the neighboring buildings, but the Hand of our Lord has protected our centers so far. Meanwhile, we are now extending emergency relief at the Ain-Saadeh Dormitories of our Campus to a number of our employees and their families that have lost their homes. We have so far 95 people there, of which at least 30 are children under 15. Yesterday night we feared for our own lives. We live in Baabda and the main square which lies about 500 meters away from our home, was targeted. The magnitude of the disaster is huge. I have never seen such a humungous crater in the ground. We had no alternatives but to pack our bags this morning and move up to our Campus, where we have found refuge ourselves. The situation is very bad. The military siege and the constant bombing with disciplined and ferocious accuracy are becoming worst by the day. Evidently, the operation seems perfectly well prepared, and makes believe that the Hezbollah abduction of the two soldiers was the occasional spark. But above all, the country is currently enduring an economic blockade which will undoubtedly bleed the civilian population as the stocks of food and medicine come to terms in the coming days. I am finishing this letter with the heavy sound of the Israeli war planes pounding Beirut again in the background. I am not sure what the next days will bring us and my thoughts are shattered between trying to find a way out, and staying put next to my family and Al-Kafaat. These are terrible times- times I would have never thought we would witness again. These are times of mourning: the casualties have so far reached the incredible number of 300 since the beginning of the offensive. But these are also times for praying, praying that the madness stops soon, and that men regain theirs senses. Your daughter in Christ, Myriam N. SHWAYRI |