New York - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, writing on behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, conveyed with great sorrow condolences on the passing of the Patriarch of Serbia, the late Pavle, Archbishop of Peć, Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovci on November 15. In a letter to the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, that was echoed to Metropolitan Christopher and to all the Bishops of the Serbian Church in America and Canada, Archbishop Demetrios of America wrote:
On behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the Clergy and Lay Faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, I am offering our profound condolences on the falling asleep in the Lord of the most blessed Father of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the deeply beloved and respected late Patriarch Pavle. The passing of the Patriarch is a deeply felt wound not only for the pious Serbian People, but for all Orthodox Christians who have admired his saintly and wise pastoral stewardship of the Serbian Orthodox Church during times of tremendous challenge. His courage in the face of tyranny and oppression will live on in the hearts and minds of all Orthodox who were privileged to know his ministry.
His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew immediately sent condolences to the Serbian Church (read his remarks here) and held a memorial service. In addition, the Ecumenical Patriarch is traveled to Belgrade and presided at the funeral of the late Patriarch Pavle. Condolences were also sent by the Patriarchs and Primates of the Autocephalous Churches, the Roman Catholic Church, representatives from the Jewish and Islamic communities, and the Presidents and heads of Governments of Greece, Russia, Belarus and Germany, as well as leaders of countries that are territorially part of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The Government of Serbia announced three days of mourning over Patriarch Pavle's passing, while the Government of Republika Srpska (Bosnian Serb Republic) announced that the funeral day will be a national day of mourning.
== 30 ==