NEW YORK — Following a devastating explosion in Beirut, Lebanon in August, the Holy Eparchial Synod implored the parishes and monasteries of the Holy Archdiocese to make a special collection in order to assist those Orthodox Churches and faithful that were adversely affected by the blast. 

A total of $50,000 was collected, and forwarded to the Ecumenical Patriarchate to be added to their worldwide collection to help meet the great and pressing needs of our Orthodox brethren in Lebanon, as well as to ease their suffering. In his letter thanking all of the worthy donors, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros wrote “It is my prayer that your loving offering will serve as a means of great assistance and fraternal solidarity to all those families in need during this Christmas season, and that their hearts and homes will be uplifted and filled with the newborn joy of our Lord’s Nativity.”

Source: goarch.org