SCOBA MOURNS THE PASSING OF PATRIARCH PAVLE OF SERBIA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2009

SCOBA MOURNS THE PASSING OF PATRIARCH PAVLE OF SERBIA

New York, NY - The Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, notes with great sorrow the falling asleep in the Lord of the Patriarch of Serbia, His Beatitude the late Pavle, Archbishop of Pe?, Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovci on November 15th. In a letter to the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, that was echoed to Metropolitan Christopher and to all the Bishops of the Serbian Church in America and Canada, Archbishop Demetrios of America wrote:

I am offering our profound condolences on the falling asleep in the Lord of the most blessed Father of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the deeply beloved and respected late Patriarch Pavle. The passing of the Patriarch is a deeply felt wound not only for the pious Serbian People, but for all Orthodox Christians who have admired his saintly and wise pastoral stewardship of the Serbian Orthodox Church during times of tremendous challenge. His courage in the face of tyranny and oppression will live on in the hearts and minds of all Orthodox who were privileged to know his ministry.

His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew immediately sent condolences to the Serbian Church (see his message at http://www.archons.org/news/detail.asp?id=344) and held a memorial service. In addition, the Ecumenical Patriarch is traveling to Belgrade for the funeral. Condolences were also sent by the Patriarchs and Primates of the Autocephalous Churches, the Roman Catholic Church, representatives from the Jewish and Islamic communities, and the Presidents and heads of Governments of Greece, Russia, Belarus and Germany, as well as leaders of countries that are territorially part of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The Government of Serbia announced three days of mourning over Patriarch Pavle's passing, while the Government of Republika Srpska announced that the funeral day will be a national day of mourning.

At least 40 days must pass after his death before a successor can be elected, and in the meantime, the authority of Patriarch will be held by the Holy Synod while Metropolitan Amfilohije will serve as the Custodian of the Patriarchal Throne.
                                                                                                                         ###