In connection with the repose of the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Patriarch Irinej, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada expressed his condolences to the hierarchs of the Patriarchate of Serbia - Bishop Dositej of Great Britain & Scandinavia and Bishop Irinej of Eastern America. 

Your Graces!

It is with sadness and grief that I write to Your Grace to express my deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved father in God, Irinej, Archbishop of Pec, Metropolitan of Belgrade-Karlovci and Patriarch of Serbia.

On behalf of the clergy and laity of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, please accept our sincere and profound condolences to you and all the clergy and people of the Serbian Orthodox Church who are grieving the death of His Holiness Patriarch Irinej.

His Holiness was not only the Head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, but for 20 years, he was also a spiritual leader and an example for all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Over the many years of his primatial ministry, His Holiness worked diligently for the Glory of God and for the good of the Holy Church, did much to preserve the unity of world Orthodoxy and not only won the love of his flock, but gained deep respect from all who knew him.

May Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is indeed the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25), give rest to the soul of His newly-departed servant where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sighing, but life everlasting.

Eternal memory and the Kingdom of Heaven!

With reverential love in the Lord,

MATTHEW 

Bishop of Sourozh

Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Canada & Mexico