Boston Marathon tragedy

People have started writing to me about the tragedy at the Boston Marathon yesterday.  What happened is deeply grievous.  We were coming back home from a few days of church service in New Hampshire where my husband has a temporary assignment.  We found out about what happened not long after arriving home.  

We have been spared the sorrow of knowing anyone personally who was killed or injured through the blasts.  But, in the relationship we share through our humanity, there is no one who is unaffected as we all share the same fragility and vulnerability throughout our lifetimes.  May God grant His mercy on all the souls which departed this life and all those injured, and otherwise traumatized persons, and all the families/friends affected.  What happened is no small thing. 

The Boston Metropolis mobilized right away to meet needs in a tangible way and his Eminence Metropolitan Methodios issued a statement yesterday afternoon.  See below:   

To the Reverend Clergy and Faithful Stewards of the Metropolis of Boston

Brethren, 

We are all shocked with today's terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon.  Once again, evil reared its ugly head and countless of our fellow citizens have been victimized.  Our prayers and thoughts are with the victims and their families, as well as our governor, mayor, and police officials.  We stand by our law enforcement agencies and all the heroic first responders as they begin the process of fully investigating this act of terrorism, and bring to justice those responsible. 

Today is Patriot's Day during which we remember the heroes of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and the first battles of the American Revolutionary War.  Annually on this day, the historic Boston Marathon takes place as a long-standing tradition which brings together diverse people from across our community, the nation, and around the world, to celebrate the virtues of hard work and perseverance in one of the world’s most well-known sporting events.  Let us not be deterred by this cowardly act of hatred, but stand united in the exercise of freedom and justice, as we pray for peace and love to reign in our society.

I ask our parishes throughout the Metropolis to offer prayers for the repose of the souls of those who tragically lost their lives today, and to pray for the healing of all those who were injured.  May the God of Peace and Mercy bring His peace upon our community.  I pray that you and your loved ones are safe and secure.  We will continue to stay in touch as further details on this evolving tragedy emerge.  

With Archpastoral Love,

+ Metropolitan Methodios