NEW YORK – Archbishop Demetrios of America issued an appeal today for immediate economic assistance to the suffering people in Greece, through a special Encyclical he sent on behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod to the clergy, the parishes, the schools, the Philoptochos, Youth and affiliated organizations and to the Greek Orthodox Family in America.

In his Encyclical Archbishop Demetrios states: “The financial crisis that has rocked Europe and deeply affected Greece has reached proportions where the suffering of innocents and the ordeal of common people cry out for urgent and substantive help.  So many of our families have roots in Greece and many of us have relatives and friends who are now experiencing privation unknown in that country since the time of the harsh occupation of the Second World War.”

The Archbishop emphasizes that the response to this special fundraising appeal should be immediate and generous: “Cognizant of this harsh reality, we must respond by offering real and tangible assistance to our brethren through trusted Church affiliated humanitarian and philanthropic agencies which will directly assist those most in need.  Therefore, as the time of Great Lent approaches, when we are called by the Church to a greater consciousness of the needs of our fellow human beings, I hope that every Christian will generously respond to this special appeal by making a donation to the Relief Fund for the People of Greece of the Archdiocese.

The Archdiocese established a special Relief Fund for the People of Greece and ALL contributions should be forwarded to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075, earmarked for the Relief Fund for the People of Greece. In addition to the Archbishop’s appeal the National ladies Philoptochos Society has issued already a similar appeal.