The statement made on the Patriarchate’s Facebook page is as follows:
CALL FOR HUMANITARIAN AID TO LEBANON
As it is known, the explosion in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, caused major social shocks in the country. As a result of this disaster, besides the ruins and loss of life, material and moral damages have also occurred. The Republic of Turkey offered their condolences as well as many other countries in the world, and the government has sent aid to Lebanon by mobilizing facilities.
The Armenian community in Lebanon also suffered material and moral damages. From the first day, His Beatitude Patriarch Sahak II, met with His Beatitude Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia, and gave his condolences and dealt with the general situation of the community.
As we are preparing for the Feast of the Virgin Mary, it is a humanitarian duty for the members of our congregation to help our Lebanese brothers and sisters in need and participate in the humanitarian aid campaign launched around the world. The clergy of the Office of the Patriarchate started this call for help with USD 7,000.00.
On this occasion, we call on the esteemed children of our community to serve this humanitarian purpose as best they can.
TURKISH ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATE
Although the need requires high sums, your help will be a pinch of salt just like the donation of the widow. (Mark 12:41-44) We believe that God will bless those who respond to this humanitarian appeal. May the Lord help the Lebanese people in these difficult times. It is our wish that in these difficult days, they may find solace in the love and compassion shown by the benevolent people by placing their hopes on God. May God keep the philanthropists away from all trials and calamities.
PATRIARCH SECRETARIAT
