Council of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA Expresses Condolences to the Antiochian Archdiocese

This morning, His Eminence Metropolitan Antony and His Grace Bishop Daniel, being in Constantinople, received the sad news of the passing of Metropolitan Philip, the Prime Hierarch of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. Both hierarchs of the UOC of the USA, who have known the late Metropolitan for many years, said in their letter of condolence to the Council of Bishops of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese:

Your Eminences, beloved archpastors and brethren in the Lord,

On behalf of the clergymen, monastics, and laymen of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA we express deep and heartfelt condolences at the repose of His Eminence Metropolitan Philip, the Primate of the brotherly Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.

The passing of the Metropolitan is a deeply felt wound not only for the pious Antiochian Orthodox Christians in North America, but for all Orthodox Christians who have admired his wise and pastoral stewardship during the significant period of his life in the service of Christ’s Holy Bride. We are zealously praying to our Lord Jesus Christ that He may give rest in the dwelling of the righteous to the soul of our Brother and Concelebrant with whom we were united by the bonds of love and friendship.

The recently deceased Metropolitan lived in different epochs. His paternal wisdom and numerous virtues, which he gained while sacrificially serving Christ the Savior, adorned the ancient Antiochian Orthodox Church. His Eminence Metropolitan Philip, who personified the greatness of Antiochian Orthodoxy, was a real spiritual father for his flock and worked zealously for the sake of the unity and salvation of his flock during years.

Your Eminences and dearly beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, as you reflect on this tragic loss, prepare to bid farewell to the beloved Metropolitan Philip, and face the extraordinary task of electing his successor, please be assured of our prayers for you and the entire Archdiocese. As we remember you in this time of grief and mourning, we shall also offer our fervent supplications to God for him, that he may find the reward of “the faithful and wise steward” that he most surely was, and that he may rest in the blessed hope of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

His soul shall dwell with the blessed and the remembrance of him will be from generation to generation!

With love in the Lord,

+Antony, Metropolitan

+Daniel, Bishop