The 438-year-old church in Hatay’s Iskenderun district, which sustained minor injury after the earthquakes earlier this month, has began serving as a storage facility for provides gathered in assist of the earthquake victims.
St. George Church in Iskenderun, which was constructed within the 1585s, developed cracks on its internal partitions and was closed for worship after it had been partially broken as a result of tremors.
Cem Teymur, head of the Benevolent Foundation of the Greek Orthodox Church of Iskenderun, informed Anadolu Agency (AA) that the earthquakes brought on nice destruction and catastrophe.
He said that the church had beforehand suffered injury from earthquakes that had occurred in Hatay at varied time limits, however had been restored, repaired and therefore nonetheless standing. He additionally famous that the damaging impact of this earthquake was excessive.
Explaining that within the first days after the earthquake, they cooked and served three meals within the backyard of the church, and continued serving meals in one other space owing to the dangerous place of the church on the time, Teymur famous they acquired an unimaginable quantity of assist from house and overseas.
He added that as a result of the church was closed for worship, humanitarian provides supposed for survivors had been saved contained in the church.
“I think it is the most sacred duty to serve people in times of such a disaster. It does not matter whether it is a church or some other place, a place of worship or mosque. In my opinion, this is also a sublime duty. Because it serves people,” Teymur stated.
Expressing that many individuals left town within the aftermath of the earthquake, he additionally stated that they consider that life within the metropolis will return to regular as quickly as attainable.
Teymur added: “We are people who have exemplified coexistence at the highest level in the region. This homeland is ours. We were born here, we grew up here, and we will die here. Unfortunately, our people left this location due to this destruction. I believe that our people will return with assistance from our state, especially in residential areas.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com
