H.BEATITUDE’S CONDOLENCE MESSAGE TO PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW FOR THE DORMITION OF METROPOLITAN OF KIEV VOLODYMYR.

Holy City of Jerusalem, Saturday, July 5^th, 2014

His Holiness Kyrill,

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia,

Moscow

The Russian Federation

Your Holiness, dear Brother and Concelebrant in the Lord,

We have learnt that His Eminence Volodymyr, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, fell asleep in the Lord this morning. We knew that he had been suffering for a long time from debilitating illness, and he has always been in Our prayers. We remember his visits as a pilgrim to the Holy Land over the years, and We hold in special affection Our time with him when We were in Kyiv for the 1025^th anniversary of 5the Baptism of the Rus’ last year.

Metropolitan Volodymyr was a bishop of deep devotion to his Church and his people, and a faithful pastor in challenging times. He lived his archpastoral calling with humility and prayerfulness, and was an inspiration to many younger monks, priests, and bishops. A leader of stature has passed from among us, and We know that his people will miss him very much.

May Metropolitan Volodymyr rest with all the saints, and may his memory be eternal.

With deep condolences and with fraternal love in Christ, We remain,

THEOPHILOS III

PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM