NEW YORK - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, writing on behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, conveyed with great sorrow condolences on the passing of the Patriarch of Serbia, the late Pavle, Archbishop of Pec, Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovci on November 15. In a letter to the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, that was echoed to Metropolitan Christopher and to all the Bishops of the Serbian Church in America and Canada,  Archbishop Demetrios of America wrote: 

On behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the Clergy and Lay Faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, I am offering our profound condolences on the falling asleep in the Lord of the most blessed Father of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the deeply beloved and respected late Patriarch Pavle. The passing of the Patriarch is a deeply felt wound not only for the pious Serbian People, but for all Orthodox Christians who have admired his saintly and wise pastoral stewardship of the Serbian Orthodox Church during times of tremendous challenge. His courage in the face of tyranny and oppression will live on in the hearts and minds of all Orthodox who were privileged to know his ministry.

His All Holiness Ecumenical   Patriarch Bartholomew   immediately sent condolences to the Serbian Church (see his message at  here   ) and held a memorial service. In addition, the Ecumenical Patriarch is traveled to Belgrade and presided at the funeral of the late Patriarch Pavle. Condolences were also sent by the Patriarchs and Primates of the Autocephalous Churches, the Roman Catholic Church, representatives from the Jewish and Islamic communities, and the Presidents and heads of Governments of Greece, Russia, Belarus and Germany, as well as leaders of countries that are territorially part of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The Government of Serbia announced three days of mourning over Patriarch Pavle's passing, while the Government of Republika Srpska (Bosnian Serb Republic) announced that the funeral day will be a national day of mourning.

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Contact: Stavros Papagermanos
Tel.:  (212) 570-3530 or (718) 415-5850
Email:   pressoffice@goarch.org

November 13-15, 2009
National Philoptochos Medical Luncheon, Boca Raton, Fla.

Fri., Nov. 13, 2009

6:00 p.m.  Welcome Reception hosted by Philoptochos

7:30 p.m.  Archon Dinner Banquet  
Boca Raton Resort and Club, Boca Raton Fla.

Sat., Nov. 14, 2009

10:30 a.m. Philoptochos Medical Luncheon Press Conference
1:30 p.m.  National Philoptochos Medical Luncheon

Sun., Nov. 15, 2009

9:30 a.m.

Archieratical Divine Liturgy  
St. Mark's Greek Orthodox Church, Boca Raton, Fla. (561) 994-4822

Tue/Wed., Nov. 17-18, 2009

Pastoral Visit to St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Monastery  
Roscoe, NY 12776

Thurs., Nov. 19, 2009

1:00 p.m.

Farewell Luncheon for Andreas Panayiotou, Consul General of Cyprus to New York  
Headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, NYC

Fri., Nov. 20, 2009

10:00 a.m.

Meetings of the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees
of the Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology  
Brookline. Mass.

Sat., Nov. 21, 2009

12:00 noon

Saint Basil Academy 65   ^th   Anniversary Gala Benefit Luncheon  
Terrace on the Park, Flushing, NY

7:00 p.m.

Dinner honoring the 10th Enthronement Anniversary of Archbishop Demetrios  
offered by the community of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Resurrection  
Mill River Country Club, Brookville, NY

Sun., Nov. 22, 2009

9:00 a.m.

Archieratical Divine Liturgy followed by the Inaugural of new Community Center  
Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church, Roslyn, NY

Tue., Nov. 24, 2009

Archieratical Great Vespers   on the Eve of the Feast of Saint Catherine
St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church, Braintree, Mass. (781) 843-0047

Wed., Nov. 25, 2009   -  Feast of Saint Catherine the Great Martyr

Archieratical Divine Liturgy  
St. Catherine and St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Astoria, NY (718) 545-4796

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