The Director of CRRCG, Mr. Darijan Sotirovski sent a telegram of condolences to the abbot of the Valaam Monastery on the occasion of the repose of Archimandrite Fr. Methodius (Petrov).
On the occasion of the repose of His Eminence, Archimandrite Father Methodius (Petrov), Deputy Abbot of the Russian Monastery Valaam, Director of the Commission for Relations with Religious Communities and Groups (CRRCG) Mr. Darijan Sotirovski, sent a telegram od condolences to His Eminence the Bishop Pankraty (Gjerdev) and to all his brothers, monks and spiritual children, as well as to the family of the newly represented, which says:
Your Eminence,
On behalf of the Macedonian citizens and on behalf of the Commission for Relations with Religious Communities and Groups (CRRCG), let me express our deep condolences to the Russian Orthodox Church - Moscow Patriarchate, i.e. to you as Abbot of the Holy Valaam Monastery and to all Valaam monks on the occasion of the sad news, which spread throughout our Macedonian country that he repose in the Lord, our respected and kind Archimandrite Father Methodius, brother at the Valaam Monastery.
Living in a time of great temptation when the whole of humanity is affected by the invisible killer - the sad news that the newly introduced Father Methodius left us prematurely, caused great sorrow in the ranks of the Macedonian Orthodox Church - Ohrid Archbishopric and the entire Macedonian Orthodox people from which he originated and he constantly mentioned in his prayers.
Macedonia and the Macedonian people as a sign of gratitude for his noble mission will always remember in their prayers his bright personality and his God-pleasing deeds, which during his life as a shepherd and servant of God he created, diligently serving God, the people and his monastery. Although he was physically far from his homeland, he had it in his heart every day. We as Macedonians can proudly praise that Father Methodius was our greatest ambassador of our country in Russia, who with his equal gospel deeds and achievements following the example of the all-Slavic educator whose name he had proved to be a true Macedonian missionary among the fraternal Russian people. We will forever remember him as a priest, close to the people and in solidarity in every moment and situation.
And we together with you in these difficult moments pray to God for the blissful rest of his good soul, as well as for consolation in the pain of all his spiritual children.
May his memory be eternal and holy!
Receive sincere condolences,
Director
Darijan Sotirovski, MA