Dear brothers, sisters, parishioners, and friends of St Sarkis Church,
For the past few days, I’ve had a heavy heart due to the devastating explosion that took place in Beirut, Lebanon on August 4th. This is a place where I have many childhood and early adulthood memories. This is the area where Yeretsgeen and I lived while we were in college, went to the churches, walked the streets, shopped at the stores, and visited family and friends. Today, as I see the pictures of all the churches, organizational centers, stores, and homes, my heart bleeds from the pain. Every house is damaged. There is shattered glass on the streets and homes. There are no homes with standing doors or windows. In addition to the severe property damage, I lost a cousin during the explosion. There are over 140 deceased as of today, thousands of people injured, and many others lost and not yet found. The devastation occurred at a time when the country was experiencing a horrible economic crisis, not to mention the global pandemic. This is a time we can show solidarity and support to our fellow brothers and sisters in Lebanon. We need to step up and help as much as we can.
All funds will be sent to the Catholicosate of the Great house of Cilicia for the United Relief Committee in Lebanon.
Prayerfully
Fr. Hrant Kevorkian
