May 17, 2022

His Eminence Archbishop Peter,

Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America,

Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia

Your Eminence, Dear brother and concelebrant in the Lord,

Christ is Risen!

In the hope of the Resurrection, I would like to express condolences for the passing away of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia.

Metropolitan Hilarion was a remarkable hierarch, a wonderful shepherd, a dedicated servant in the Church of our Lord. We share with all the hierarchs, priests and faithful of your Church the feelings of regret and sorrow.

We take refuge in the hope of Christ’s Resurrection, confident that our risen Lord has embraced His servant, the newly departed Metropolitan Hilarion, with love and has rewarded him for his faithful service.

On behalf of the priests and faithful of our Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas, please accept our sincere condolences. We pray our Lord Jesus Christ to establish his soul where the righteous repose!

May God rest his soul in peace!

† Archbishop and Metropolitan Nicolae