The Four Homes of Mercy, in Bethany, near Jerusalem, which was the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, which were profiled in this weblog in October through the eyes of his Eminence Metropolitan Savas Sembillas, who accompanied a good number of Orthodox Christian college students for Real Break: Jerusalem 2010 to the Holy Land and a time of service and interaction at these homes, came to a time of severe financial shortfall recently.
After 73 years of existence, would they have to close their doors? Where would the residents, who had disabilities which preclude independent functioning, possibly go?
Thank God, the International Orthodox Christian Charities, in partnership with the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, stepped in with a grant, so that the dear people who depend on this ministry may remain in what for them is home, a place of mercy. Not many institutions are that way, unfortunately, and even in these, bed space is at a premium in this needy land.
Read the story of one of the residents, Suma, in the following IOCC article: IOCC Assists the Holy Land’s Disabled
And here is the website of Four Homes of Mercy
Picture from Embrace the Middle East: The Four Homes of Mercy
Pro-Vita Association - A Romanian Orthodox Christian Ministry for single mothers and their children, street children and orphans. Father Nicholas also writes on behalf of the pro-life cause in Romania.
St. Fillan is counted as an intercessor for persons with mental illness. Born in Ireland, he and a number of members of his family moved to Scotland. In Strathfillin, he built a church. Later he became a hermit, devoting himself to prayer, living in a cave at Pittenween near Fife. 
