Letter of Condolence for the Departure of the Blessed Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus from His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III

On the morning of Monday, October 25 / November 7, 2022, the Blessed Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II passed away after a long illness.

Thus, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, sent the following letter of condolence to the Church of Cyprus:

To His Eminence the Metropolitan Georgios of Paphos, governor of the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus, beloved brother in the Lord and co-minister of Our Mediocrity, holy greetings in Christ Jesus.

Through Our Patriarchal brotherly Letter we express the deep condolences of the Church of Jerusalem and Mother of Churches, as well as Our personal ones, to the brotherly Autocephalous Church of Cyprus, and to your quite beloved Eminence, for the departure in the Lord of the blessed Shepherd of the great island of Cyprus Chrysostomos II, our brother and co-minister.

Saddened as is appropriate on the separation from Our beloved brother in Christ, we nevertheless remember, deservedly so, the God-pleasing and quite remarkable historical Episcopal work of the departed, and pray fervently from the Horrendous Golgotha for the repose of his soul in the land of the living along with the holy and the righteous, and for the comfort of the Church of Cyprus on this difficult period of the vacancy of its Throne.  

Wherefore, in deep sympathy and thanks to your Eminence, to the honourable members of the Holy and Sacred Synod and to all the pious congregation of the Holy Church of Cyprus, we greet you from the Holy and Life-Giving Tomb with a holy kiss and remain.

In the Holy City of Jerusalem, October 25, 2022

Beloved brother in Christ,

His Beatitude THEOPHILOS III

Greek orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem

This letter was originally published on the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem official website.