In a post on the website of the Western Diocese of the Orthodox Church of Japan, Bishop Seraphim of Sendai has provided the most recent assessment of damage sustained by the churches in his diocese as a result of the March earthquake and tsunami, and the plight of parishioners there. We present his report (slightly edited) below, along with a photo report of the damage.
April 8
Fourth report from Bishop Seraphim
Aftershock are still happening three or four times every day, and last night, another magnitude 7 earthquake occured near Sendai, hitting the damaged building, and causing more suffering in people's hearts.
Since the disaster happened, Bishop Seraphim and clergy in Eastern Japan Diocese have been making great efforts to contact parishioners and to get information on their situation. For the first two weeks, a shortage of gas and damaged roads inhibited direct visit to their flocks.
Recently, rubble was cleared from the main roads to the coast, and they 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.
 |
| The Church in Yamada right after the fire. |
Among 1.5 thousands parishioners in Tohoku area, seven were killed by the tsunami, one died from shock of the earthquake. In coastal areas, many losts their houses and jobs. Countless people sustained damage to their houses, shops and offices. The diocese has not yet obtained a clear grasp of their situation.
-Coastal area-
YAMADA
(registered parishioners:15 families, 20
parishioners)
On April 6, Bishop Seraphim, Priest Mark Koike, and Priest Michael Tanaka visited Yamada.
Half of the city was destroyed by tsunami and fire. The Holy Annunciation Church in Yamada had stood against tsunami, but tsunami delivered gas and oil on the surface, then in midnight, caught fire. The chapel was burned out.
 |
| Yamada, church vessels and utensils found amidst the ashes. |
Most of the 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 parishioners)
The Holy Ascension Church was not destroyed but many cracks were found on the wall.
 |
| A Pannikhida for the reposed victims in the Ascension Church in Sakari. |
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 has still not been found.
KESENNUMA (2 families, 8 parishioners)
The Holy Resurrection Chapel in Kesennuma, thanks be to God, was saved. The tsunami stopped in front of the church within a few meters distance. But now, a huge rock was found on the cliff just behind the chapel . If this huge rock should fall down, the chapel will be crushed at one strike. To remove the danger, discussion is necessary with the city office and the land owner.
 |
| Kessenuma. Bishop Seraphim visits parishioner Irina Chiba in an evacuation shelter. |
ISHINOMAKI (60 families,133 parishioners)
Water flooded to a depth of 40 cm into the church, leaving a mass of mud and dirt. On April 5, the members of Ishinomaki parish cleaned the inside and outside of the church, with help from Sendai parish members.
 |
| Ishinomaki. The old church-museum, destroyed by the tsunami. |
 |
| April 5. 25 parishioners clean out the church in Ishinomaki. |
-Inland
area-
Ishinomaki. By the window: the dean, Priest Vasily Taguchi.
KANNNARI (15 families, 44 parishioners)
 |
| Kannari. Cracks in the foundation. |
SENDAI(185
families,435 parishioners)
Kannari. Crumbling plaster and concrete.
A parishioner's family member, YAMAMOTO Michiko (not yet
baptized) is missing. Due to repeating earthquakes and
aftershocks, many cracks appeared on the office building
next to church. Detailed investigation is necessary. After
the strong aftershock, many new cracks were found.
FUKUSHIMA (belongs to Sendai parish)
There are two families living further than 30 km from the nuclear power station. The Koyama family, who lived within 10 km of the station, moved elsewhere, according to their friend.
WAKUYA (16 families, 42 parishioners)
Moisei NAKAGAWA Iyoji, earlier listed as missing list, was found dead. His wife Sophia NAKAGAWA Tsuneko was found earlier.
SANUMA (9 families,13 parishioners)
The Holy Transfiguration Chapel withstood the earthquake, but is distorted. Large-scale restoration or reconstruction is supposed necessary.
The aftershocks still continue, adding damage to damage. The restoration work will take years and years. Long term support will be necessary. Specialist says much longer than in the case of the Kobe earthquake.
Donations can be sent to:
Payee Account Number : 00150 - 0- 47756
Payee Name : NIHON HARISUTOSU
SEIKYOUKAI
Payee Address : 4-1, KandaSurugadai, Chiyoda-ku,
Tokyo. 101-0062, JAPAN
Payee Telephone Number :
03-3291-1885
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
"Currency : USD"
Intermediary Bank Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
NY
Intermediary Bank BIC（SWIFT Code）:
BKTRUS33
Beneficiary Bank : Japan Post Bank
Branch : Head Office
Beneficiary Bank Address : 3-2, Kasumigaseki 1-chome,
Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo
100-8798, Japan
Beneficiary Bank BIC (SWIFT Code): JPPSJPJ1
Beneficiary Bank CHIPS UID : 427593
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
" Currency : EUR "
Intermediary Bank : Deutsche Bank AG Frankfurt
Intermediary Bank BIC（SWIFT Code）:
DEUTDEFF
Beneficiary: Bank Japan Post Bank
Branch : Head Office
Beneficiary Bank Address 3-2, Kasumigaseki 1-chome,
Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo
100-8798, Japan
Beneficiary Bank BIC (SWIFT Code): JPPSJPJ1
Beneficiary Bank CHIPS UID : No-need
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
Detailed information on remittance:
"Deposit to Japan Post Bank Account"
http://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/en/djp/en_djp_index.html
