In an encyclical to all parishes in Australia, Archbishop Makarios invites the clergy and people to a common prayer and urges clergy on Sunday, November 17 to read their prayers on drought and extinguishing fire.
At the same time, he sent a letter of sympathy to the Australian Prime Minister, Mr Scott Morrison, and to everyone for extinguishing the fire, which has been tormenting the Australian Continent for days.
“I am saddened and upset by the enormous human and ecological disaster that is taking place in New South Wales, Queensland and other areas of the Australian territory, due to the numerous fires that have taken place recently and are still in progress.
From the very first moment, my thought lies with the families of the victims, praying for the philanthropist Lord to strengthen them in these difficult times, as well as for the injured and those who have suffered loss of property, for which I wholeheartedly wish to be speedily healed. At the same time, I am involved in the agony of those who are still being tested by the threat of fires and I pray for the prevention of any further danger, looking forward to the prosperity of the tireless and commendable struggle given by the firefighters.
I would also like to express the sympathy and support of the clergy of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia to all those affected and to convey the paternal sympathy of our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The prayer of all of us is focused on the rest of the souls of the victims, on the restoration of the health of the wounded, and on the protection of the whole of God’s Creation.
Finally, in these dramatic moments we are experiencing, it is imperative to reflect on the consequences of our vicious interference with the natural environment and to realize the heavy responsibility of all of us, towards God and people, to safeguard Divine Creation.”
The encyclical of the Archbishop describes the whole situation and calls on the clergy and the people to pray. “We Orthodox Christians are fighting for the name of Jesus Christ. There is no stronger weapon than prayer, either on earth or in heaven,” says Archbishop Makarios.
The full text of the Encyclical follows:
Venerable Brother fellow Bishops and my beloved children,
In the past few days, we have all witnessed catastrophic devastation that has brought much sorrow and grief to our souls. More than 600 schools were closed down because of destructive fires which have hit New South Wales. The fire front exceeds 1000 kilometres and thousands of firefighters are fighting to extinguish them. Many houses have been burnt and human lives have been lost.
In the context of this huge tragedy, we are also having to contend against a relentless drought which has overtaken our state these past few years and is the main cause of so many fires. There are many places in Australia that do not have water because it has not rained for such a long time. The fields have dried up. The animals are dying from thirst. The produce of the land is being destroyed. The stock farmers are killing their animals because they cannot bear to see them slowly dying from thirst. Huge areas of land are becoming deserted. Countless fellow citizens are in despair, desperate and many have taken their own lives.
Because of this situation Ι urge you, firstly, not to lose your faith and hope in God. We do not see God through our successes, but in our weaknesses. It is most likely that tribulation and sorrow will lead us to a place where those who are successful in life have never reached, that being to a place where the fragrance of the splendour of the Resurrection is emitted.
Secondly, Ι entreat you all to pray fervently from within your hearts. The way in which we, as Orthodox Christians, struggle is by calling upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no weapon more powerful in heaven or on earth. Ι beseech you with all my love to unite our prayers so that all together we can ask for God’s mercy. Immediately after the Sunday Divine Liturgy, there will be a petition by the Archbishop, our Bishops and all the Priests in all our Churches around Australia. We will read the prayer for the extinguishing of fire and simultaneously the prayers during times of drought. Kneel down and pray. Ask for the prayers of your children. Mobilize everyone in prayer.
I am certain that the Lord will not abandon us and that He will hear the prayers of all of us and He will send rain upon the face of the earth to yield fruit for the poor, the infants, the animals, the plants, the animate beings throughout the cast dominion of the Archdiocese of Australia.
I thank you wholeheartedly for your immediate and warm response, I greet you all paternally, and I remain with love in Christ.
Sydney, the 13th day of November, 2019
The Archbishop Makarios of Australia
