Vigil For Syria And Turkey

Blacklion vigil MON13FEB23

ith Enya Özçelik’s local shout-out for winter clothing, sleeping bags, baby food and other essentials for the Turkish embassy now part of the 45 tonnes of goods donated so far, last night, there was a prayer vigil for Syria and Turkey.

Taking place outside Zenobia in Blacklion, and organised by Greystones’ Churches Together, participants were encouraged to bring along a candle.

The vigil comes at a time when the death toll of 24,000 after Monday’s 7.8-magnitude quake is predicted by the UN to double.

Said Tim Bowens-Evans from the Nazarene Church, “We gathered to pray and stand in solidarity with those who are suffering. It was Diana, the manager of Zenobia, who took the initiative for this event. She has a huge heart.

“Her husband is currently in Syria and has been sleeping in his car because of the aftershocks of the earthquake. They haven’t seen each other in 9 years. It was our aim to stand with Syrians and Turkish people everywhere, and particularly those in our own community who, like Diana, are feeling far from home during this awful situation. Thanks to all who came and donated.

“We raised more than €800 for the response efforts.”