SCOBA Appeal For Peace 4-Feb-2003
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Press Release SCOBA HIERARCHS ADDRESS THE PRESENT At this time, one of the most critical in human history, we the Hierarchs of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America, painfully understand the exceedingly great existential burden placed upon our government leaders, who, at this crucial moment are charged with the power to decide the fate of innumerable human beings. They will have to make the ultimate decisions required by the information available to them. We pray for them, for their wisdom, determination and compassion as they contemplate actions that may have a tremendous impact upon millions of our fellow human beings, including many of our own sons and daughters. As leaders of Orthodox Christian Communities throughout America and as servants of the One who on His way to the cross said: "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you." (John 14:27), we urge all leaders of governments to utilize every means available to seek a peaceful resolution to the present challenge to the security and happiness of all humankind, posed by the forces of terror and evil that threaten not only the civilized world, but the very survival of human existence. As Orthodox Christians we constantly and fervently pray in each and every worship service of our Church "for the peace from above", and incessantly implore the Lord "for the peace of the whole world". As disciples and followers of Jesus Christ we seek and pursue peace in prayer, in faith and in action. Death, terror, destruction, and endless suffering are formidable enemies with which we are not ever going to be reconciled. In the uniquely significant days ahead, may our good and loving God enable us all, the people of this blessed country, to know and to do what is just and right in order to secure a lasting peace on our planet Earth.
+Archbishop DEMETRIOS, Chairman +Metropolitan PHILIP, Vice Chairman +Metropolitan CHRISTOPHER, Secretary +Metropolitan NICHOLAS of Amissos +Metropolitan HERMAN +Archbishop NICOLAE +Metropolitan JOSEPH +Metropolitan CONSTANTINE +Bishop ILIA of Philomelion |
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