A recent letter from Metropolitan Nicholas and the Council (Sobor) of Bishops to the Western Rite Communities of the ROCOR is below. You may also open the PDF document to view the original. We are grateful for the pastoral guidance provided to us by our bishops, and are pleased at the election of Metropolitan Nicholas to take the seat of our beloved Vladyka Metropolitan Hilarion after his repose. May Metropolitan Hilarion’s memory be eternal, and may God grant Metropolitan Nicholas many years!
Archpastoral Letter to our dearly beloved flock of the Western Rite
Dear in the Lord fathers, brothers and sisters,
We share with you the sorrow over the loss of our father and dearly beloved Metropolitan Hilarion. The Western Rite community was part of his personal missionary outreach, so dear to his heart. Now, upon his repose, the Sacred Council of Bishops is committed pastorally to assess this legacy. On September 15, 2022, we met with your Vicar-General Arch priest Mark Rowe and Reverend Father David Prestridge to learn more about you, as for the most part we are still unfamiliar with your church life and your vision. Father Mark expressed to us your desire to continue your mission in North America under the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad and at the same time to join us in prayer and fellowship as we mutually learn about one another. We believe that it is our responsibility to continue guiding you pastorally as did our late Metropolitan honoring his legacy.
Therefore, we send you these words of encouragement and comfort to assure you of our continued care.
With love in Christ and wishing you God’s blessing,
+Nicholas
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York,
First-Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia,
and the Sacred Council of Bishops
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