March 15, 2024

          His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph

          Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of the USA, Canada, and Australia

          550-A West 50th St.
          New York, NY 10019

          Your Eminence,

          It is with deep sadness that we have heard about the passing away of His Beatitude Patriarch Neofit of Bulgaria. We were aware of his long illness and his struggle to overcome it. The Almighty God called His servant Patriarch Neofit to eternal repose in the Kingdom of Heaven.

         Patriarch Neofit was a remarkable hierarch and a wonderful Shepherd. He was a great friend of our Romanian Orthodox Church and our Romanian people. We share with all the hierarchs, priests and faithful of your Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of the USA, Canada, and Australia the feelings of regret and sorrow.

        On behalf of the priests and faithful of our Metropolia, please accept our sincere condolences. We pray our Lord Jesus Christ to establish his soul where the righteous repose. We assure you of our prayers for the soul of His departed servant Patriarch Neofit.

          May God rest his soul in peace!

          † Archbishop and Metropolitan Nicolae

         of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas