Note of thanks received from Church of Romania
In a letter dated July 8, 2007, His Eminence, Metropolitan Daniel of Moldova and Bucovina and Locum Tenens of the Patriarchate of Romania, expressed his gratitude to His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, for OCA representation at the funeral of His Holiness, Patriarch Teoctist of Romania, on August 3, 2007.
His Grace, Bishop Irineu of Dearborn Heights, Auxiliary to the OCA’s Romanian Episcopate, represented the OCA at the funeral.
The text of Metropolitan Daniel?s letter is as follows.
“It is with brotherly love in Christ that we would like to thank Your Beatitude for sending your delegation, headed by H.G. Bishop Irineu of Detroit [sic], to be present at the funeral ceremonies organised by the Romanian Patriarchate, for leading our Father of blessed memory Teoctist, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church on his last earthly journey. We would also like to thank Your Beatitude for sharing in the grief of our whole Church through Your touching Message, which You have sent us on this occasion, on behalf of Your Holy Church.
“The communion in prayer, the presence of so many delegations of the Sister Orthodox Churches, of other Christian Churches and international ecumenical organisations, the compassion manifested towards us, to whom Patriarch Teoctist was a true father, a wise leader and a devoted shepherd, all these have strengthened us in these moments of great sadness. At the same time, our prayer to the Crucified and the Risen Christ, as well as faith in the resurrection of all comfort us with the hope that the Lord will place Patriarch Teoctist among His servants, with the angels and the saints, in the light, peace and joy of the Most Holy Trinity.
“With these thoughts of deep gratitude and appreciation, we brotherly embrace You in the love of Jesus Christ, our Lord.”