Your Help is needed for the Orthodox Victims of the recent Earthquake in Croatia and for the restoration and rebuilding of our Orthodox Churches.

Appeal Letter from His Grace Bishop Maxim

Ep. No. 16 / January 13, 2021

Dear Reverend Fathers and beloved Parish and Church-school congregation board members,

Christ is Born! May the Lord bless you and your faithful as we approach the Feast of Theophany.

On December 28^th and 29^th, 2020 a series of earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.4 devastated the Dioceses of Zagreb-Ljubljana, Gornji Karlovac, and Banja Luka. Many of our Orthodox faithful have lost their homes and livelihoods, and sadly, for some, even precious loved ones. Parishes have sustained extreme and even irreparable damage to their churches and properties. Our Bishops, especially from Croatia, have reported that the immediate concern is for the many people, especially the elderly, who are in dire need of shelter and basic necessities of life.

Your help in providing donations for housing, food, clothing and other provisions is urgently needed.

The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church have asked that each Diocese coordinate with their parishes and parishioners to raise funds to help the victims of these devastating earthquakes.

Please appeal to your parishioners for their help. We understand that these are difficult times for all of our faithful. If, however, your parish and parishioners are in a position to contribute, please send all donations to our Diocesan Office by January 30^th. All contributions will be transferred to a designated fund setup by the Holy Synod.

Please make your check payable to the Western American Diocese and write Earthquake Fund in the memo section, and mail it to Western American Diocese, 1621 West Garvey Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91803. Donations can also be made online at westsrbdio.org/donate.

Please pray for the souls of those who have lost their lives, and for the health and safety of those who now face very difficult times. Thank you for your help in assisting with this urgent appeal and for any contribution you, your parish, and your parishioners can afford.

With Brotherly Love in Christ,

Bishop MAXIM

BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF WESTERN AMERICA