wfn.org | [GOAA] Death of Patriarch Petros of Alexandria Mourned

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10021
Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0215
Web: http://www.goarch.org
Email: communications@goarch.org

For Immediate Release
September 11, 2004

Contact: Nikki Stephanopoulos
Tel. (212) 570-3530
Email: communications@goarch.org

THE GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
MOURNS THE LOSS OF PATRIARCH PETROS OF ALEXANDRIA

New York, NY b Upon the tragic news of the crash of a Greek military 
helicopter which was transporting Patriarch Petros of Alexandria and All 
Africa and his entourage to Mount Athos and went down approximately 15 
miles off the shores of Mount Athos killing all 17 persons aboard, His 
Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America expressed on behalf of the Holy 
Eparchial Synod, the clergy, and the entire Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of 
America his deep sorrow for this great loss:

"With all our heart we share in the deep sorrow of the Holy Patriarchate of 
Alexandria and of all Orthodox people around the world for this tragic 
event which unexpectedly today took away from us a prominent leader of our 
Church, Patriarch Petros of blessed memory, and a number of distinguished 
hierarchs, clergymen, laypeople and the crew members of the helicopter.

Patriarch Petros of Alexandria of blessed memory was a distinguished 
patriarch who during his tenure moved forward the work of the total 
revitalization of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, both in Egypt and in the 
rest of Africa. Most notable was his work in the development of the 
Metropolises all around Africa. Due to this work, Orthodoxy made great 
strides in the African continent and drew ever-increasing numbers of 
African people into the Orthodox family.

We pray fervently for the repose of the soul of Patriarch Petros of blessed 
memory and for the repose of the souls of those who perished along with him 
in this tragic event. We ask of our ever-compassionate God for His support 
from above to the deeply afflicted and bereaved Patriarchate of Alexandria 
and its people."