His Beatitude JOHN
Patriarch of Great Antioch and All the East
Your Beatitude,
Please accept my most profound condolences over the demise of His Eminence Philip, Metropolitan of New York and North America.
The news about his death was taken with grief not only by the flock of the Holy Church of Antioch, but also the whole world Orthodoxy since Metropolitan Philip enjoyed universal respect and authority.
Hundreds of Orthodox communities established by His Eminence Philip in North America, a great number of constructed churches, his thousands-strong flock – all this is a true monument to his apostolic work and a living witness to God’s abundant grace and to the power of the human spirit that the archpastor manifested in his tireless service.
Remembering with warmth my personal acquaintance and talks with the late Metropolitan Philip, I pray with all my heart for the rest of his soul. May merciful Chief Pastor Christ commit his soul to the dwellings of the righteous!
With respectful love in the Lord,
+ Hilarion
Metropolitan of Volokolamsk
Chairman
Department for External Church Relations
Moscow Patriarchate
Source: DECR
