wfn.org | [OCA] American Orthodox Church to be Represented at Pope's

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

MEDIA RELEASE / ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA
PO Box 675
Syosset, New York 11791-0675

Contact: The Very Rev. John Matusiak
OCA Communications Director
630-668-3071
jjm@oca.org
www.oca.org

=============================================================================
===
AMERICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH TO BE REPRESENTED AT INSTALLATION OF NEW POPE

SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications] - His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman and 
the Orthodox Church in America will be represented at the enthronement of 
the newly elected Pope Benedict XVI by His Grace, Bishop Tikhon of South 
Canaan, Auxiliary to the Metropolitan, and the Very Rev. David Brum, the 
Metropolitan's secretary.

The enthronement will take place on Sunday, April 24, at Saint Peter's 
Basilica in Vatican City, where Pope Benedict's predecessor, Pope John Paul 
II, was buried nearly two weeks ago. Metropolitan Herman and the OCA were 
represented at his funeral by His Grace, Bishop Seraphim of Ottawa and 
Canada and the Rev. Alexander Rentel.

Metropolitan Herman sent a congratulatory letter to Pope Benedict upon 
learning of his election. The text of the letter reads as follows.

"I greet Your Holiness with brotherly love in Christ on the occasion of 
your election as Bishop of Rome and successor to the ancient See of Saint 
Peter. As you assume the responsibilities and heavy burdens of the ministry 
with which you have been entrusted, I wish to assure you of my brotherly 
esteem and prayerful best wishes.

"Your ever-memorable predecessor, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, was 
greatly respected by many Orthodox Christians throughout the world. It is 
my sincere hope and prayer that Your Holiness will be inspired by his 
example and will continue to work for the realization of our Lord's 
high-priestly prayer, 'That all may be one' (John 17:21).

"Be assured of my steadfast prayer that Almighty God will bless you with 
strength and good health, so that you may serve Christ and the flock with 
which He has entrusted you for many long and fruitful years. As you begin 
your pontificate, may the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, the Holy 
Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, intercede for you before the 
Throne of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest."

=============================================================================
===
Tracing its roots to the arrival of Orthodox missionaries in Alaska in 
1794, the Orthodox Church in America embraces over 700 parishes,
missions, and institutions across the US, Canada, and Mexico.

-- END --