Memory Eternal: Council of Bishops of the UOC of the USA Expresses Condolences on the Repose of Metropolitan Maximus (former metropolitan of Pittsburgh of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America)
Memory Eternal: Council of Bishops of the UOC of the USA Expresses Condolences on the Repose of Metropolitan Maximus (former metropolitan of Pittsburgh of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America)

Вічна Пам’ять: Собор Єпископів УПЦ США висловлює співчуття

з приводу відходу у вічність митрополита Максима

(попереднього митрополита Пітсбургу - Грецької Православної Архієпархії США)

 

3 November, 2020

Venerable Hilarion of the Monastery of the Kyiv Caves

 

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

10 East 79th St.

New York, NY 10075

 

Your Eminence and Dear Brother in service to our Loving Lord,

 

It is with a profound sense of sadness that we write to you, Metropolitan Savas and all the clergy and faithful of the Metropolis of Pittsburgh at the repose of His Eminence Archbishop Maximos.  We have missed him dearly over the years since his retirement at the gatherings of Orthodox Hierarchs here in the USA, regardless of what the occasion was.  His Eminence was an engaging leader who had the God-Given talent of not only listening to people but hearing what they were saying to him.  He was a gift to Holy Orthodoxy, especially here in the United States of America and a powerful contributor to the continued effort to establish Christian unity within the Ecumenical Movement.

 

We, along with all our faithful, will remember him for his powerful and informed remarks as the representative of His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew during the 25th anniversary of priestly ordination honoring then Archbishop Antony.  He comprehensively presented the history of our Holy Church in Ukraine and her unending ties to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, concentrating on the faith and faithfulness of the Ukrainian people over the 1009 years since the Baptism of their nation into Holy Orthodoxy.  He concluded his remarks with a loud and firm proclamation that the independent Ukrainian nation must have its own independent and autocephalous Orthodox Church.  We are convinced that the five hundred people present were about to pick him up on their shoulders to carry him in a procession of joy.  His Eminence’s prophetical words, he said, were reinforced by the continued efforts of His All-Holiness in a deliberate process concerning our Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine, which had been ongoing for some time.

 

His Eminence was a penetrating scholar and theologian who had immeasurable influence on his brother hierarchs, his clergy and faithful, his students and all who cooperated with him in the Ecumenical Movement.  His memory will live from generation to generation in God’s Heavenly Kingdom, as well as in the hearts and minds of all who interacted with him in any way during his earthly pilgrimage.  We all are the seal of his episcopacy before the throne of God and it is we who will ensure that not only his memory, but also his ministry will continue to thrive.

 

May his soul rest in the place where the righteous repose in anticipation of experiencing the Embrace of our Lord upon hearing His words: “Come, my beloved brother Maximos, inherit the place that has been prepared for you from the foundation of creation”.  Memory Eternal!  May the Peace of our Lord be with you, Metropolitan Elpidophoros and all entrusted to your spiritual care and guidance during these difficult days.

 

In our Lord’s All-Encompassing Love,

 

+ Antony,

By the Grace of God, Metropolitan        

 

+ Daniel,

By the Grace of God, Archbishop

 

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