Report and Information on Eastern Japan Diocese

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

revised: Mar.16

As you read magnitude 9 earthquake attacked the northeastern part of
Japan. And 30 feet tsunami swept through the east coastal areas in
Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima Prefecture. In addition to that, serious
trouble happened in the nuclear station in Fukushima.

We received many emails with love and prayers and inquiries from
brothers and sisters throughout the world.

For the time being, the websites of the Orthodox Church in Japan and
the Eastern Japan Diocese are still under difficulties to upload new
information. On behalf of them, Western Japan Diocese website provides
current news available.

Mar.15, 2011

Eastern Japan Diocese

Thanks God, Bishop Seraphim, Fr. Clement Kodama, Fr. Vasilii Kato are
fine. The Holy Annunciation Cathedral in Sendai and Diocese office
buildings were not seriously damaged.

Holy Ascention church in Ichinoseki, Elevation of Cross Church in Morioka
are safe, too, even though small damages were found.

We have made contact with Fr. Michail in Morioka and Fr.Mark in Ichinoseki.

However, the church located on the Sanriku coast were supposed to be
destroyed; Annunciation Church in Yamada, Holy Resurrection Church in
Kesennuma, Holy Protection Church in Joghe-dzutusmi and St. John the
Theologian church in Ishinomaki. The Diocese has not yet contacted with
the parishioners of those church. 300 members are registered in the
coastal area.

In addition to them, there are no information from three church and parish
located further from the coast; Holy Transfiguration Chapel in Sanuma,
Transfiguration Church in Takashimizu and Prophet Isaiah Church in Wakuya,
in total, 80 members are registered.

Communication and electric systems are seriously destroyed. Telephone,
cell phone or internet are still in limited use. Roads and railways were
cut off and, gas stations do not work. There are very few ways to contact
with parishioners.

We have been searching missing people on google and picasa websites and
found some members are alive

This afternoon, we received happy news, that the Ascension Church in
Sakari exists and many of the parishioners are alive, too.

Tokyo and Kanto Area

In Tokyo, Met. Daniel, clergies, seminary students and office staffs were
safe. The Cathedral and other buildings had small damage; window glass
broken or cracks on the wall. We have not got any report any members
seriously damaged.

The other churches in Kanato area and parishioners supposed not damaged,
either.

When we have any news, we will upload as soon.

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