Warsaw, September 17, 2024
Wikipedia
Heavy rainfall has triggered deadly flooding across Central Europe, with a low-pressure system causing record-high rains for days. As of Monday, the death toll had risen to 16, including seven in Romania, five in Poland, three in the Czech Republic, and one in Austria.
Given the flooding affecting southwestern Poland, His Beatitude Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland has issued an appeal to the faithful of the Orthodox Church in Poland, calling for solidarity and support for the victims of the natural disaster.
In recent days, thousands of our brothers have experienced the tragedy of flooding. The natural disaster has taken away the life’s work of hundreds of families. It did not spare houses, schools, health centers... Unfortunately, it also took lives.
The water is slowly receding. As the enormous scale of the destruction is revealed, people lose hope that homes and lives can be rebuilt. The flood victims can’t cope alone. But do they really have to be alone in this misfortune?!
In these difficult moments, it’s important that the victims of the natural disaster feel our solidarity with them and receive support that translates into real, measurable help. “Support everyone who is in need” (cf. Gal 6:2) the Lord calls us, and emphasizes: “God is love” (cf. Jn. 15:9). Let us respond to this call with our mercy.
The Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church calls on all its faithful, clergy and laity, to show their mercy and support for the flood victims in this hour of trial. May your offerings dry their tears and awaken their shaken hope. Together in unity, this tragedy can be somewhat lessened.
I thank and bless all donors.
Met. Sawa also blessed a collection for the victims. For those who are able, funds be can be sent (marked “Powódź” (“flood”) to the account: 96 1020 1042 0000 8102 0009 6388.
Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
