The UOC Primate expresses condolences on the decease of Patriarch Irinej

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: news.church.ua

His Beatitude Onuphry expressed his condolences to the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church due to the decease of His Holiness Patriarch Irinej. The condolences of the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have been published on the website of the Synodal Information and Educational Department of the UOC.

“It is with deep sorrow that we have received the news of the death of His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia. Of blessed memory, the late Primate was an outstanding hierarch, who sacrificially performed his archpastoral ministry for the sake of the Holy Church and was the guarantor of the unity of Orthodoxy in Serbia, strictly observing its canonical structure. He enjoyed particular authority among the Primates of Local Orthodox Churches,” the text says.

On behalf of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Onuphry noted the high personal contribution and exemplary dedication of His Holiness Patriarch Irinej in the defense of the unity of World Orthodoxy and support for canonical Orthodoxy in Ukraine.

On behalf of the Holy Synod and the multimillion flock of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Onuphry offered heartfelt condolences to the archpastors, faithful clergy, monastics and all believers of the Serbian Orthodox Church

As the UOJ wrote earlier, Patriarch Irinej of Serbia died on Thursday morning at the age of 90. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic was the first to announce the death of Patriarch Irinej on his Instagram page.

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