The Leadership 100 Executive Committee, in a conference call today, unanimously approved a gift of $100,000 toward rebuilding efforts and the relief of those displaced after a fire destroyed parts of the Balikli Greek Hospital in Istanbul, on August 4th. The action was in response to an appeal by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.

“We wanted to respond to the appeal of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and ensure the fullest participation possible in supporting our brothers and sisters of the Balikli Hospital,” said Demetrios G. Logothetis, Chairman.

Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, who arrived in Istanbul on Tuesday, August 9 for the third pilgrimage organized by the Archdiocese of America in celebration of the 100th anniversary of its founding, informed the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew that the Greek-American community have pledged 350,000 US dollars in an ongoing fundraising effort for the reconstruction of the fire-stricken historic building, which also operates as a nursing home.

“The Hospital is a historic building and a vital institution that today cares for our elderly sisters and brothers residing in the city,” the Archbishop said. “Today, I was happy to inform His All-Holiness that our Omogeneia has responded immediately to our call to mitigate material damages: The Order of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, has committed $100,000, while the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society has committed $50,000. In addition, our Church has committed another $100,000 and we expect this amount to increase through fundraising.” 

Archbishop Elpidophoros visited the Balikli Greek Hospital, which is in the Zeytinburnu district.