His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Responds to Destruction at Balıklı Greek Hospital

Istanbul—His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch issued the following statement today regarding the devastating fire at the the Nursing Home building, which is part of the Baloukli Charitable Foundation:

Our Omogeneia was dealt a terrible blow today. One of its most important charitable institutions, where our aged brothers find care and comfort, was considerably damaged by a disastrous fire. We glorify God that no fatalities resulted, and we thank the State and Local Government authorities and fire department, the nursing home staff and the adjacent hospital, as well as all those who volunteered to help in the rescue of food, and in the fight to extinguish the fire.

Human lives matter.

Buildings, facilities, and material things can be restored.

I feel deep pain for what happened, but we will overcome this ordeal. Again, we thank from the bottom of our hearts all those who have helped in this difficult time, and all those who have declared themselves ready to support us in repairing the damages. We are moved by their concern, and above all by their contribution in any way in responding to this critical situation.

We thank them for being by our side.

God bless them.