Return to Palo after Typhoon Yolanda

The Antiochian priest Father Sava has just returned from visiting mission community of Saint Nikolai of Žiča in Palo, Leyte. Immediately after the storm, we had word that all the faithful had survived the storm, but their homes were destroyed. When ROCOR Mission Administrator Fr Philip and Fr Kyrill from Taiwan came to Tacloban after the typhoon, the roads were washed out and they were unable to reach the mission area. Father Sava is glad to report he made contact with a number of the parishioners. Here are his photos from the visit.

Two months after Super Typhoon Yolanda, Tacloban Airport is back in business.

Outside the airport, the state of the area is immediately apparent. The tragedy has now faded from wesern news headlines, but the people rendered homeless by the typhoon are only beginning to rebuild.

At right, in the Honda shirt, is Mang Adi Nogar, the generous benefactor who owns the property where the mission center was built. This icon was affixed to his home before the storm hit. Photo was taken in the tent where they live now.

Rice field behind Mang Adi’s residence, which we hope will provide a livelihood for mission members.

The elementary school near the mission center. Still standing, but the roof has blown off.

Beside the school building, the local Catholic church.

Another school building closed because its roof has blown away.

Home of one church member.

Here, at center, is the fallen building that was used by the St Nikolai Mission Center.

Inspecting the site.

The wooden table we used to celebrate the Divine Liturgy back in September.

Mang Adi has found something…

These two icons have survived the storm and two months soaking in the debris! One is St Nikolai, the patron of the mission community, and the other appears to be St Nectarios. Other icons are faded to white, but these two have outlasted the worst.