Orthodox priest lends hand to flood victims

The Rev. Vasile Bitere (left), of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, surveys the damage left by a week of torrential rains and flooding in Iowa.

By Kelly Jasper Staff Writer
Saturday, July 12, 2008

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After a disaster, humanitarian agencies often are first on the scene to provide emergency supplies.
"When they leave, there are still a whole lot of needs to be met," the Rev. Vasile Bitere said. "People have spiritual needs even after their physical needs have been met."

The priest of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church was recently deployed with a team of "first responders" organized by the International Orthodox Christian Charities, a humanitarian aid agency.

He and two California priests traveled to Iowa in late June to provide trauma counseling and hold church services amid the flood-ravaged communities along the Mississippi River.

The Rev. Bitere returned June 28 and shared his findings with the local congregation, which is planning fundraisers for flood victims.

"We as a community have to respond," he said.

Many residents that the Rev. Bitere encountered in Des Moines, Iowa, were overwhelmed by the damage. They were, in a sense, repeating history, he said.

"The city had massive flooding in 1993. It was a hard thing to go through again," the Rev. Bitere said.

The team traveled on to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which sustained much more damage in the floods.
"So many homes were condemned," he said. "People would dig through the rubble just trying to find some item to save."

While the team met with local Orthodox leaders and offered stress-management briefings for local clergy, the IOCC also provided help filling out Federal Emergency Management Agency forms and offered cash grants to local communities.

Holy Trinity hopes to help fund relief efforts with events this summer and donations taken at the annual Greek Festival in October.

Reach Kelly Jasper at (706) 823-3552 or

kelly.jasper@augustachronicle.com.

JOIN THE RELIEF EFFORTS The International Orthodox Christian Charities is providing humanitarian aid to flooded regions of the midwest. For more information, call (877) 803-4622 or go on-line to http://www.iocc.org/.

From the Saturday, July 12, 2008 edition of the Augusta Chronicle

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