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Pozivi na mir u Iraku
Thursday, December 27th, 2007
Patriarch Ignatius: an appeal to help the afflicted
From the Patriarch of Antioch, Ignatius IV,
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East
This is a time of fear and sorrow for many. As Church leaders of the Middle East we spoke in one
voice. We, Orthodox Christians of the Patriarchate of Antioch, are concerned for the people of
Iraq as the unjust war against their country intensifies. The voices of Churches, and millions of
people of good will, opposing the immoral and illegal use of force was unheard. We have
repeatedly stated that such a unilateral and preemptive action, where the logic of might prevails, is
a defeat of international law and diplomacy, with grave consequences for the world. The war
causes, in our region and well beyond, great pain and anger. It must stop. As people of faith this is
our cry today.
Many Iraqis are, and will be, displaced. Many are threatened in their lives and possessions. The
present war continues their long-enduring suffering. We pray for all the Iraqis, our spiritual
children, the Antiochian Orthodox, and their compatriots, Christians and Muslims. We urge our
faithful and our friends to express solidarity and support generously the humanitarian efforts that
our Church, in coordination with other Churches, towards the relief of the afflicted.
May the Lord of Peace bless you all.
Ignatius IV
Patriarch of Antioch and all the East
March 24th, 2003
SCOBA Hierarchs Issue Appeal For Prayer
We, the hierarchs of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas
are compelled by our spiritual obligation as peacemakers, to express the anguish in our hearts that,
once again, due to the presence of sin and evil in the world, nations and people of faith have been
unable to avoid a dreadful confrontation.
As heads of Orthodox Christian communities in North America we are compelled to call our pious
clergy and faithful to pray for peace and for respect of the sanctity of all human persons.
We ask our churches to open their doors during this season of the Great Lent for people to enter,
light a candle, and pray for peace and reconciliation among nations.
We exhort our faithful to pray for all the people who live in areas of conflict, for the innocent
women, children and elderly who live in places of high risk and harm, for those in flight, for
refugees throughout the region who join others on a journey of profound uncertainty.
We pray for the security and well-being of our military personnel, for advisors and diplomats, and
for families at home, who must live in fear for the safety of their loved ones.
We pray for our President and all civil authorities, for their discernment and divine guidance
during this difficult time.
This tragic war, combined with the threat to security at home, has created enormous fear and
anxiety throughout the world. Only the Prince of Peace, who said “My peace I give to you” (Lk
14:27), can allay this fear and anxiety.
Please know, dearly beloved that our humanitarian aid agency, the International Orthodox
Christian Charities (IOCC), has already prepared itself to address the tremendous needs that will
confront the world in the days ahead. This response will include the distribution of “survival
packs” to persons fleeing Iraq, provisions of medical assistance to ill or disabled refugees in
Jordan, and the distribution of humanitarian relief within Iraq. We urge you to help IOCC in this
massive philanthropic effort.
May the peace and love of God be with all of you.