So far more than 5,000 deaths have been confirmed, and rescue teams are still working to save survivors who are trapped beneath the rubble.
Foto: Reprodução/Facebook Antuan Ilgit.
Turkey – (07/02/2023 17:01, Gaudium Press) The powerful earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey last Monday left a trail of destruction and death in both countries. More than 5,000 deaths have been confirmed and rescue teams are still working to save survivors who are trapped in the thousands of buildings brought down by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake.
Apocalyptic Situation
The Bishop of Aleppo of the Chaldeans (Syria), Bishop Antoine Audo, also narrated the suffering that the inhabitants of the country. “Tonight we will sleep at the entrance of the Bishop’s House or somewhere else, we will see what to do. There is great fear, there is damage everywhere, even in the cathedral. Libraries are destroyed, houses have collapsed: it is an apocalyptic situation,” he lamented.
A Beacon of Hope in the Mercy of the Mother of God
Against this apocalyptic backdrop, a fact full of symbolism emerges as a beacon of hope in the mercy of the Mother of God. Although the Annunciation Cathedral, the main church of the Apostolic Vicariate of Anatolia in Alexandretta, was completely destroyed by the earthquake, an image of Our Lady remained standing completely intact among the rubble.
With God’s Help We Will Be Able to Rebuild Everything
The fact was recorded by Jesuit Father Antuan Ilgit, who even celebrated a Holy Mass at the site. “Now the ‘living stones’ that need attention, and with them, with God’s help, we will be able to rebuild everything. We share what we have for today and who knows for tomorrow, we are all in the more accessible cafeteria where we also celebrate Mass! I brought from the Cathedral the image of Our Lady. And this image will be our strength and we will face everything with Her.” (EPC)
Compiled by Florence MacDonald