REMEMBERING 9/11: May God give rest to those who perished and console those who mourn their departure (09/08/02)

REMEMBERING 9/11

May God give rest to those who perished and console those who mourn their departure

Following is the text of a statement by the Council of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA on the first anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

Dear brothers in the holy priesthood, and beloved people of God of the parishes of the UOC-USA:

Glory to Jesus Christ, our Resurrec-tion, Life and Hope!

Wednesday, September 11, 2002, the feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, a day of prayer and abstinence, marks the first anniversary of the sudden and violent death of over 4,000 of our brothers and sisters - victims of premeditated terrorist attacks centered in New York City, Washington, and central Pennsylvania. Evil raised its ugly head and within a few minutes the life of this nation and its inhabitants was forever altered. The spouses, children and families of those who perished in this vicious attack on America were spiritually and psychologically scarred profoundly.

Immediately following that horrendous act of one year ago, and for some time after, people found comfort in prayer and by contributing to funds designed to assist those in need and in reaching out to one another. To this day, we harbor memories of loving and profound generosity and of valiant policemen, firemen and rescue squad personnel who risked life and limb to save those they did not know. Many, as we know, forfeited their own lives in their attempts to save their brothers and sisters.

Mindful of the inestimable value and power of prayer, the Council of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. proclaims September 11, 2002, the Holy Day commemorating the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, and every September 11 thereafter, a Day of Remembrance (Den Pomynannia) and calls upon all the faithful to mark this tragic event with prayers and fasting and by participating to the fullest in the eucharistic liturgies and panakhydy celebrated in their local parishes.

May Almighty God, the source of all consolation, accept our offerings on His heavenly altar, give rest to those who perished, console those who mourn their departure from this physical life and grant us the grace and courage to be channels of His righteousness and peace.

Your servants in the Lord,
Ý Constantine, Metropolitan
Ý Antony, Archbishop
Ý Vsevolod, Archbishop

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