Patriarchal Message on the Falling Asleep in the Lord of George Psaros

June 15, 2023

Unto our beloved spiritual son: the dearly esteemed Archon Ostiarios, Michael George Psaros, our friend and spiritual co-worker; together with your cherished mother, Mary Ann, your brother, Harry, with your respected spouses Robin and Michelle, and the grandchildren of your noble and ever-memorable father, Alexandra, Leo, Gus, Marina, and Maximos: Grace, peace, and all consolation be with you, from God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and the All-Holy Spirit.

Dear children in Christ Jesus, the falling asleep in the Lord of your father, husband, and grandfather, George, is a time when the precious bonds of family and friendship take on even more profound meaning. The passing of your familial patriarch is a time of sadness and loss, but also a time of reflection and gratitude. In this time of remembrance, you will share many stories and moments from times gone by will suddenly come before your minds. As your spiritual father and friend, we counsel you to open wide the gates of memory and allow the story of George’s extraordinary life to come upon you, accepting the tears of your grief as cleansing your hearts.

A person’s life can never truly be measured in years but rather in the love and grace that he inspired in others. George was so very true to his name, cultivating in all of you the goodness of family, of faith, and of fellowship with your wonderful parish of All Saints. When we visited Weirton on our last Apostolic Visit to America, we stood in amazement at the accomplishments of the spiritual children of the Ecumenical Throne in the midst of West Virginia, a truly inspiring vision for how our Holy Orthodox Faith is planted throughout the oikoumene. George, the worker of the earth, gave all of you a foundation of faith and love that has lasted your lifetimes and will be passed down to your children’s children.

Please accept our heartfelt paternal and Patriarchal condolences in this time of your mourning and know that we add our prayers to yours for his eternal repose in the mansions of the Saints, from whence all pain, sorrow, and mourning have fled away. May you all be filled with the hope of the Resurrection and the sure and certain hope that you will be with George again in the Kingdom of Heaven. May the memory of the servant of God, George, be everlasting, and may our Gracious Lord grant all of you the comfort of His love, the peace that surpasses understanding, and His boundless mercy.

At the Ecumenical Patriarchate, on June 13th , 2023

Your fervent supplicant before God,

† BARTHOLOMEW

Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome

and Ecumenical Patriarch