Chairman of SCOBA, Archbishop Demetrios On Events In Kenya

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 4, 2008

Contact: SCOBA Secretariat
Tel.: 212.774.0270
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Chairman of SCOBA, Archbishop Demetrios On Events In Kenya

New York, NY - Archbishop Demetrios of America, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Chairman of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) commented today on events in Kenya, noting the long-time involvement of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) with the local Orthodox Church in Kenya (which is under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Alexandria).

His Eminence said: "As we have witnessed events unfold in Kenya, where many citizens have lost their lives and property, including many Orthodox Christians, we grieve with those whose lives have been shattered by the politics of violence. As Chairman of SCOBA, whose own agency, the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, has for a long time ministered to and served the needs of the Orthodox Christians of Kenya - assisting church communities and a seminary - and on behalf of the Hierarchs of SCOBA, I call upon all the faithful in America to pray fervently to our Merciful God for the Church in Kenya and for the people of Kenya, that peace may prevail and that those who have lost so much may find some measure of comfort."

The Archbishop spoke earlier today with Father Martin Ritsi, the Director of OCMC, in order to ascertain the current situation of the Orthodox Church in Kenya.