On 21 November this year, the greatest tragedy since the times of independence took place in Rīga – when the roof of the “Maxima” shopping centre collapsed, several dozen people lost their lives. Every hour, rescuers carry out human remains from the rubble. Children have been left without parents, husbands have lost their wives, wives have lost their husbands.
On Friday evening, the bells of several Christian churches rang in unison, commemorating the victims and the injured of the tragedy.
Since Friday morning, the Lutheran churches have been holding services and prayers.
On Friday, a service was held in Rīga Cathedral, which gathered several hundred people, including the highest state officials, clergy and representatives of the diplomatic service, who joined in a common intercession and commemorated those who died and were injured in the tragedy at the “Maxima” supermarket.
At its emergency session, the Cabinet of Ministers declared 23, 24 and 25 November to be days of mourning.
On Sunday, 24 November, intercessions for the victims and the injured of the tragedy will be held in all the parishes of the archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church.
Likewise on Sunday, 24 November, the Lutheran church marks the Day of Remembrance of the Dead.
On 25 November at 10:00, a three-minute silence in memory of the victims will be observed throughout the territory of Latvia.
The LLSTA board and editor express their condolences to those affected by the Zolitūde tragedy and especially to the relatives of those who died in the tragedy.
We join together in prayer: “Lord, have mercy!”
May God’s comfort and presence be with us all in this time of pain and suffering!
Information prepared based on news provided by the portal www.delfi.lv
Aļesja Lavrinoviča