Buenos Aires, March 20, 2014
Beloved in our Lord
Very Esteemed Hierarchs, Clergy and Faithful
Of the Archdiocese of New York and All North America
“Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus” (Romans 15:5)
With a heart grateful to our Lord and to your very beloved pastor who gave me the opportunity to come to know you during the last three years, I present to you my heartfelt condolences for the falling asleep in Christ of His Eminence Metropolitan Philip. We all pray together for the rest in peace of his soul and that his memory be eternal.
I am very surprised that the Lord’s Providence permitted that I may serve you under such a painful and difficult circumstance, i.e. the loss of your beloved pastor, until a new Metropolitan be elected for your God-protected Archdiocese. Indeed, my appointment as Patriarchal Vicar, by His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch, is an obedience of love and an opportunity to serve your church, and to preserve your bond of love, peace, service and unity in Christ.
May our Lord bless all of us in this period of great lent, as we are heading to His Holy Passion in order to share His glorious Resurrection.
+ Silouan
Metropolitan of Buenos Aires and all Argentina
Source: antiochian.org
