As already informed from a series of reports, the biggest in our nation’s history earthquake struck mainly North East Japan, that is, the mainland territory of the East Japan diocese, and the subsequent tsunami disasters devastated the Pacific coastal districts of such prefectures as Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima and Ibaragi and damaged many cities and towns of North East Japan including Sendai, where the cathedral of the diocese is located. Much to our regret, almost all the regional orthodox communities in the areas along the Pacific coast were seriously destroyed.

The Holy Autonomous Orthodox Church in Japan, accepting condolences from brothers and sisters of the Orthodox Churches all around the world and sharing sorrow and grief with them all, mourns for all the victims of this overwhelming disaster, prays that the merciful and mankind-loving God may save the lives of all those missing people, heal the wounds of all those injured, comfort all those who lost houses and possessions and left homeless and defenseless, and repose the souls of all those perished in the terrible disasters in peace and grant courage and strength to national authorities making great efforts to save the lives of the survived.

So far the Metropolitan Council of the Holy Autonomous Orthodox Church in Japan confirmed, by God’s grace, the missing priest is alive and safe together with his wife. The safety of many other parishioners is reported as well. According to Bishop Seraphim of East Japan Diocese, two churches are found completely destroyed and a parishioner dead. All the clerics of his diocese are doing their best ever to confirm the safety of their parishioners, however, the breakdown of traffic and communication networks to the coastal districts and the consequent fuel shortage prevent them from reaching out to their parishioners and fulfilling their duties.

On the other hand, the whole nation still remains in danger and uncertainty; the aftershock of the earthquake continues and the confirmation of missing people is delayed in spite of the day-and-night self-sacrificing efforts by rescue teams. Moreover, in addition to the disaster-caused breakdown of traffic networks and the consequent acceleration of the shortage of power/medical supplies and provisions, the crisis of Fukushima nuclear power plant threatens the lives of those people struggling with exceedingly severe situations in great needs.

The aftershock influence of this complex disaster will remain upon us for a long time. We suppose that the really critical situation will turn up two or three months later.

The whole situation of this vast catastrophe is getting revealed to us gradually day by day. Faced with a dire and terrible reality, our hearts are overwhelmed by sadness and a sense of helplessness. However, amidst temptations of the Lenten period, we must stand more firm and pray more humbly than ever to Christ our God, as we praise Him “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, for the LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” (Psalm 102)

Please remember us Japanese orthodox Christians and all suffering Japanese people in your fervent prayers.
 
With love in Christ
 

+Daniel
Archbishop of Tokyo and
Metropolitan of All Japan

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