Patriarch Alexy and Metropolitan Kirill express their condolences upon the death of Archbishop Sergij of Eukarpia

30.01.2003 · English  

PATRIARCH ALEXY AND METROPOLITAN KIRILL EXPRESS THEIR CONDOLENCES UPON THE DEATH OF ARCHBISHOP SERGIJ OF EUKARPIA

Died Archbishop Sergij (Konovaloff), head of the Archdiocese of the Russian Parishes in Western Europe

In connection with the death of Archbishop Sergij (Konovaloff), head of the Archdiocese of the Russian Parishes in Western Europe, Patriarch Alexy II sent a letter of condolences to the Archdiocesan Council. The letter reads,

‘With deep sorrow we heard the news of the sudden death of Archbishop Sergij. We share the pain of this heavy loss and wholeheartedly pray for the rest of the deceased in the dwellings of the righteous. His Eminence Sergij was a wise hierarch of the Holy Church, who worked much for the spiritual unity of the Russian nation. May the Victor of Death and Life-Giver Jesus Christ recall the kind doings of the deceased and make his memory eternal’.

Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad also expressed his condolences to the brothers, co-workers and parish of the late Archbishop Sergij in the following message,

‘I express my heartfelt sympathy to the bishops, priests and all the faithful children of the Archdiocese of the Russian Parishes in Western Europe in connection with the sudden death of Archbishop Sergy of Eukarpia.

The heart of this worthy hierarch ceased beating. He was an ardent worker in the field of Christ and active advocate of preserving the identity of Russian Orthodoxy as a spiritual basis for unity of all our compatriots.

I believe and hope that after his death his work will bring rich and abundant fruit and good memories of him will be kept in the grateful hearts of the faithful forever.

May All-Merciful God accept to His heavenly altar our tears and prayers for the deceased and grant him eternal rest with the saints in His heavenly dwellings. ‘

See also:

  • His Holiness Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia
  • Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate