Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
Release: IN AFTERMATH OF WTC TRAGEDY, DIOCESAN HQ IN NEW YORK RECEIVES MESSAGES OF CONCERN
AND REACHES OUT TO HELP FELLOW ARMENIANS IN CITY
September 12, 2001
"Telephone calls expressing concern, condolence and support
have been reaching the Manhattan headquarters of the Eastern Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America, in the aftermath of Tuesday’s catastrophe at the
World Trade Center. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the Diocesan Primate, has
spoken with His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians; Constantinople Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan; primates from the
world’s Armenian Church dioceses; and other dignitaries from Armenia and
world.
Despite sporadic, disaster-related difficulties in accessing phone and
e-mail lines, the Diocese has begun establishing a contact network of
Armenian Americans who live and work in the stricken Wall Street area, in an
attempt to identify, reach out and provide pastoral ministry to our brothers
and sisters who experienced Tuesday’s disaster. A substantial number of
Armenian Americans are known to have worked in the World Trade Center and
its vicinity; as of this writing, the Diocesan Center has not been informed
of any casualties among them. We pray for God’s continued mercy, towards
our fellow Armenians, and towards our brethren of every background.
Tomorrow, Archbishop Barsamian will send out a formal directive, asking
every parish in the Eastern Diocese to hold a special service on Sunday,
September 16, to pray for the victims and survivors of the tragedy, for
their families, for the continued strength and resolve of the United States
of America, and for peace throughout the world."