April 8, 2011- Fourth report from Bishop Seraphim of Sendai

Earthquake and Tsunami in Tohoku area, March 11, 2011
Report and Information on Eastern Japan Diocese

April 8
Fourth report from Bishop Seraphim

Aftershock quaking still happens three or four times every day and last
night, another magnitude 7 earthquake occured near Sendai and hit the
damaged building and suffered people’s heart again.

Since the disaster happened, Bishop Seraphim and clergies in Eastern Japan Diocese have been making great effort to contact with parishioners and to get information on their situation. For the first two weeks, shortage of gas and damaged roads disturbed direct visit to their flocks.

Recently rubbles were pushed out from the main roads to the coast were opened to the traffic. On April 5 and 6, Bishop Seraphim visited the church and parishioners.

This is the short report with newest information we received.

In General, the damages of Orthodox communities were not in the worst
level. Except Holy Annunciation Chapel in Yamada, all the church and
chapels survived and stands fairly well at a glance. But examining
carefuly, there found many cracks on the walls, damages on interior and exterior of the building and serious collaps on the foundation. And
frequent aftershok quaking increases cracks and enlarge damages. It is
supposed quite a big amount will be needed to restore and rebuild
churches.

Among 1.5 thousands parishioners in Tohoku area; seven were killed by
tsunami, one died from shock of the earthquake. In coastal area many lost their houses and job. Countless people had damages on their houses, shops and offices. Diocese has not yet had clear grasp of their situation.

-Coastal area-

YAMADA (registered parishioners:15 families, 20 pax)
Half of the city was destroyed by tsunami and fire. The Holy Annunciation in Yamada had stood against tsunami, but tsunami delivered gas and oil on the s urface, then in midnight, caught fire. The chapel was burned out.

There are 15 families Yamada parish, most of them lost houses, shops and job. Matrona YOKOTA Nobuko is still missing.

Most of parishioners are engaged in marine products business under local companies, which were totally devastated. They have no future prospect for income.

SAKARI (32 families, 127 pax)

Holy Ascension Church was not destroyed but many cracks were found on the wall.

Among the parishioners, two families lost thier house and an office. Many of the parishioner had damages on their house.

In addition to the three victimes(Lyubov ISE Miho, Peter ISE Taigi, Martha ISE Ai) informed in the previous report, one parishioner’s family member, not yet baptised, SATO Eigo is still not found.

KESENNUMA(2 families, 8 pax)

The Holy Resurrection Chapel in Kesennuma, thanks God, was saved. Tsunami stopped in front of the church with a few meter distance. But now, a huge rock was found on the cliff just behind the chapel . If this huge rock fall down, the chapel will be crushed at one strike. To remove the danger, discussion is necessary with city office and the land owner.

Two families belong to Kesennuma parish. All of them are safe but their
house and means of liveing, (they managed drug stores) were completely destroyed. After tsunami, they stayed in the shelter. This week, one family moved to a relative’s house and the other moved to church meeting house.

ISHINOMAKI (60 families,133 pax)

Water flooded in 40 cm depth into the church and left a lot of mud and
dirt. On April 5, the members of Ishinomaki parish cleaned in and out of
the church, with help of members from Sendai.

In addition to Nikanol Kami Tsutom (reposed), Andrei YONESATO Kimiyosi (was in the missing list) was found dead. His son Feodosii Hajime is still not found.

The destroyed church, shown in news paper and in many websites, is old church built in 1879, preserved as a city cultural asset in the Nakase sandbank park. The present church was built in 1978.

-Inland area-

KANNNARI (15 families, 44 pax)

St. John the Apostle Church was built in 1934. By this earthquake, she got many cracks on the wall and collaps on the foundation. The bell tower is leaned. The estimated restoration cost is 60 thousand US$. After the estimation, a strong aftershock occured on Apr.7 and hit the damaged building; the cross on the cupola was broken, the cracks in the foundation became larger, mortars were peeled from walls. More money will be needed.

SENDAI(185 families,435 pax)

A parishioner’s family member, YAMAMOTO Michiko (not yet baptized) is
missing. Due to repeating earthquakes and after shock, many cracks
appeared on the office building next to church. Detailed investigation is
necessary. After the strong aftershock, many of new cracks were found.

FUKUSHIMA (belong to Sendai parish)

There are two families living further than 30 km from the nuclear power
station. Koyama family who lived within 10 km from the station moved to somewhere, according to their friend.

WAKUYA (16 families,42 pax)

Moisei NAKAGAWA Iyoji in the missing list was found dead. His wife Sophia NAKAGAWA Tsuneko was found earlier.

SANUMA(9 families,13 pax)

The Holy Transfiguration Chapel stood against the earthquake, but
distorted. Large scaled restoration or reconstruction is supposed to be
necessary.

The aftershock quaking still continues and add damages on damages. The restoration work takes years and years. Long term support will be
necessary. Specialist says much more longer than in the case of Kobe.

The Orthodox Church in Japan
http://www.orthodoxjapan.jp/

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