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On 14 September 2017, Metropolitan Arseny of Istra, first vicar for Moscow of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Holy Resurrection in Berlin. Concelebrating with His Eminence were Metropolitan Philip of Poltava and Mirgorod, Metropolitan Antonij of Central and Western Europe (Bulgarian Orthodox Church), Metropolitan Serafim of Germany (Romanian Orthodox Church), Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany (ROCOR), Archbishop Alexander of Baku and Azerbaijan, Archbishop Serafim of Kaliningrad and Baltiysk, Archbishop Yelisei of Sourozh, Bishop Antony of Zvenigorod, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Administration for Institutions Abroad, acting administrator of the diocese of Berlin, as well as representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches, clergy of the Berlin diocese, and ordained guests from various dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church. Praying in the altar were Archbishop Michal of Prague (Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia), and Bishop Bartholomew of Arianzos (Patriarchate of Constantinople).

The coffin containing the body of Archbishop Feofan (Galinsky) was placed in the centre of the cathedral. During the Liturgy, prayers were said for the repose of the archpastor’s soul. The church was full of worshippers who came to pay last respects to their beloved father and vladyka.

After the service, Metropolitan Arseny of Istra shared with all those present his recollections of his late brother and concelebrant, noting his piety, great erudition and vast knowledge. “When I got to know Archbishop Feofan, I was struck by his knowledge,” Vladyka Arseny said, “He could shed light on any question and present it in such a way that his companion would automatically start thinking, ‘What was I doing at school and in the seminary, what did I learn?’”

Metropolitan Arseny emphasized that love, simplicity and gentleness were Vladyka Feofan’s characteristic features. “There was so much love and peace in his heart that it could hold everyone. Like a loving mother rocking a baby in a crib, he could console and cover with his love every person who came to him,” the archpastor said, “The Lord ordained that Vladyka Feofan had left us and drawn closer to Him. May He vouchsafe him to have a good lot, about which we pray all our life and which we strive to have.”

Metropolitan Arseny of Istra read out a message of condolences from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia over the death of Archbishop Feofan of Berlin and Germany and, in concelebration with an assembly of hierarchs and clergymen, conducted a funeral service for the late archpastor.

The coffin containing Vladyka Feofan’s body was transferred to the Berlin-Tegel Russian Orthodox Cemetery. There, a litiya was said by Bishop Antony of Zvenigorod. After that the archpastor’s body was committed to the ground.

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