“He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:2)
Our hearts are filled with sorrow following the explosion which rocked Beirut on the evening of Tuesday, August 4, 2020, resulting in hundreds of fatalities, thousands wounded, dozens still missing, and catastrophic destruction. The blast affected the Armenian community as well, which suffered loss of life, injuries, and damage to community institutions including the Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia, Churches, schools, community centers, homes, and businesses. Lebanese authorities have declared Beirut a “disaster zone.”
Immediately following the blast, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, issued a statement through the Western Prelacy Facebook page, praying for the souls of those who perished and healing to the wounded, as well as for peace, stability, and brighter days for the nation.
The Prelate also contacted His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to express solidarity and support on behalf of Prelacy Clergy, Religious and Executive Councils, and faithful to collectively overcome this tragedy.
His Holiness, through the Catholicosate website, issued an appeal for pan-Armenian support to assist the Armenian community of Lebanon in relief and rebuilding effort. By the direction of His Holiness, a committee was formed comprised of all major Lebanese-Armenian community religious, national, and humanitarian organizations, headed by H.E. Archbishop Shahe Panossian, Prelate of Lebanon.
In light of this appeal, the Pan Armenian Council of the Western United States, of which our Prelacy is a member, launched a donation campaign to facilitate relief aid.
Donations from the Pan Armenian Council fundraising campaign will be transferred to the Catholicosate through the Western Prelacy and immediately distributed to our brothers and sisters in need.
Donations can be made online at www.hyeaidlebanon.org, or www.facebook.com/hyeaidlebanon, or by calling 818-660-5453.
On this occasion, the Prelate urges our community members to contribute their generous support to this fundraising campaign and lend a much-needed helping hand to our compatriots facing this unprecedented crisis.