Posted on 02/10/2023 6:37:47 PM PST by marshmallow
Antioch (Antakya), one of the most important cities for the early Christian Church, lays in ruin. Block after block, buildings are now little more than piles of rubble, entombing their occupants as rescuers search for signs of life in the bitter cold. Home to Syriacs, Turks, Kurds, Armenians, Arabs, and Jews, the diverse community of Antioch find themselves homeless, together.
The Saint Peter and Saint Paul Parish Church in Antioch is taking in people displaced from their homes. Lower to the ground and stronger than surrounding buildings, it was spared much of the damage others suffered.
“There is no electricity, no internet in the city; phone services are poor,” said Fr Francis Dondu, the parish priest, to Asia News. “Early reports suggest that the main quake razed the old quarter to the ground; many buildings have collapsed, and many fires are raging,” he added.
The church “has opened its doors to Catholics, Orthodox, Muslims,” said Fr Francis Dondu.
An aerial view shows the destruction in Antakya. (Image: Hussein Malla /AP)
“Antakya is one the most isolated centers in Turkey,” Maria Grazia Zambon, a fidei donum sent to Turkey by the Diocese of Milan (Italy) 20 years ago noted. “At present, it is hard to reach by land because the roads are damaged, if not wiped out, and many people are still missing, under the rubble. Even the airport is unusable.”
The synagogue that stood near the church also collapsed.
However, from the damaged synagogue, volunteers collected and saved Torah scrolls dating back 500 years.
The 500-year-old Torah scrolls were handwritten and served the community of 28 people.
“We wanted to save the holy books from destruction,” said Rabbi Mendy Chitrik, also the chair of the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States.
(Excerpt) Read more at syriacpress.com ...
Antioch was also destroyed by earthquakes in 115, 526 and 1114.
That is a shocking photo.
Can FReepers recommend honest relief organizations that will use donations wisely?
Wow. This is just so terrible. They will be lucky if they don’t have rampant disease afterwards. Pray for these people.
Ya Rabb-urham
The Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States can fix it, maybe. San Francisco had an earthquake in 1906 and the city was demolished. The Catholic Amadeo Giannini fixed it. Yes, someone like Giannini needs to fix SF today.
I think people don’t realize what a huge story this earthquake, and the ramifications it will have for years to come.
Steve Looker on Agenda-Free TV recommends Global Giving....https://www.globalgiving.org/
I haven’t had the chance to look into them yet.
I don’t think Americans much care and there is nothing in it for the US government or the Clintons. The affected people are mostly white and it isn’t close enough to fly in from NYC, LA or DC and be back for dinner and drinks.
Ping
So do you raise building codes to California crae crae so folks will be safer next time but homeless because the homes become affordable, or rebuild and let the next generation weep all over again?
It comes down to the incremental cost of earthquake resistant design and building techniques. Sometimes you can get a lot of bang for the buck with small changes.
Thank you.
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