It has been 21 years now since the earthquake that destroyed large areas of Armenia—and 21 years since the world’s beautiful outpouring of goodwill towards our country and its people. This week, another such tragedy has taken its toll—this time on the island nation of Haiti. In a region already beset by difficulties, this natural disaster has been especially destructive, and the images coming out of the news have been terribly disheartening.

We are asking all our parishes to contribute to the relief of this disaster. Our Diocese and its humanitarian aid organization, the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), will be contributing to the effort to assist the earthquake victims, working through the National Council of Churches.

Individuals and parishes can make checks out to the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (please write “Haitian Earthquake Relief” in the memo). All funds collected should be sent to the Diocesan Center (630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016) no later than Friday, January 22. Individuals can also CONTRIBUTE NOW through the Diocesan website. Click here to read more.

Above all, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, asks everyone to include the people of Haiti in your prayers; to ask our Lord to bestow peace on the victims and consolation on their families; and to strengthen the rescue workers as they perform their compassionate work.

Source: www.armenianchurch.net