Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection: News and Announcements

December 14, 2012

Metropolitan Tikhon calls for prayers in wake of Connecticut school shooting

SYOSSET, NY [OCA]

Rachel Weeping for Children

As widely reported in the media on Friday, December 14, 2012, twenty-six individuals�twenty of whom were elementary school children�perished at Sandy Hook School, Newtown, CT, when a lone 20-year-old gunman entered the school and opened fire on students and faculty alike.

Upon learning of the tragedy, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, released the following letter to the faithful.

�My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

�All of us have been shaken by the news of the tragic death of twenty young children and six adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut. All of a sudden, the image of Rachel, who was �weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more� [Jeremiah 31:15], becomes more than simply a passage from scripture. Rather, it becomes an unfortunate reality in the lives of those affected by the senseless incident and in our own hearts, as we share in their lamentation and sorrow.

�None of us can truly understand the personal distress that so many are facing today. Yet every one of us knows the reality of such tragedy and experience it in the depths of our hearts. Our very being is shaken and we feel powerless to do anything. Nevertheless, we make an effort to direct our prayers towards the families of those who have lost their most dear ones, most of whom are innocent and pure children.

�Concerning those who have fallen asleep, Saint Paul exhorts us not to �grieve even as others who have no hope� [1 Thessalonians 4:13]. And yet, herein he does not forbid us from grieving. Now is the time for us to weep, but we must weep with the firm hope that comes from our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. �Shed tears, but remain calm; weep modestly, and with fear of God,� writes Saint John Chrysostom. And following this example, each of us must strive to transform our sorrow into prayer.

�I therefore call on the clergy and the faithful of the Orthodox Church in America to offer fervent prayers for the souls of those whose lives have been so brutally cut short and for the consolation of all those whose existence has been shattered by this unfathomable event. I also ask that those who are physically able to offer their services to the grieving and the broken-hearted, both in the Newtown community and throughout this land.

�It is at times like this that we must put our faith into action and offer our Christian support and love, to make our prayers concrete through action. Many have been affected, and many more will be overcome by grief, despair and isolation. We must ensure that we do all we can to provide a sense of true community to all those in need and to bear their burdens as the Lord asks us to.

�Together with my brother bishops on the Holy Synod, I offer my condolences to all the grieving families, and I pray that they will find hope in the abundant grace of God. May they be given strength at this most painful moment and find comfort along the difficult path that lies ahead. Let no one among us have any fear, but let us remember that our Lord Jesus Christ has overcome fear, has trampled down death, and has granted us eternal life and great mercy.�

In response to enquiries, His Eminence, Archbishop Nikon of Boston, New England and the Albanian Archdiocese reported that, as of Friday evening, it appeared that no one from those dioceses was directly affected by the tragedy.

Additional details will be posted as they become available.

Metropolitan Tikhon calls for prayers in wake of Connecticut school shooting

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