Serbian Royals deeply saddened by the death of Patriarch Pavle

Crown Prince Alexander II, Crown Princess Katherine, Hereditary Prince Peter, Prince Philip and Prince Alexander all expressed their deepest sorrow at the passing of His Holiness Patriarch Pavle. They sent their sincere condolences to the Serbian Orthodox Church and its followers in Serbia and Worldwide.

The Royal Palace released the following statement from the Crown Prince: “I am deeply, deeply saddened to learn that His Holiness has surrendered his soul to our Lord. The Serbian people have lost a pious spiritual leader, whose death is especially devastating at the time when the future of Kosovo and Metohija, the cradles of the Serbian Orthodox Church, remains uncertain. My family joins me in expressing our deepest condolences and sympathy to the Serbian Orthodox Church and all its faithful in Serbia and worldwide and all citizens of Serbia.”

Patriarch Pavle died on 15 November, 2009, after more than two years spent in the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade. The Government of Serbia announced three days of national mourning over the death of the Patriarch. President Boris Tadić said that the patriarch’s death was an “irredeemable loss for the entire Serbian nation.” Condolences to the Serbian church, people and officials were sent by Russian Patriarch Kirill I, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians, Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens, Patriarch Daniel of Romania and numerous others. At least 40 days must pass after his death before a successor can be elected; meantime the authority of Patriarch will be held by Holy Synod while the Metropolitan Amfilohije will serve as the Guardian of the Throne.

The Serbian Royal Family has very close relationships with the Church; The Serbian Orthodox Church in general and Patriarch Pavle in particular have openly supported the restoration of the Monarchy.

Filed under Serbia/Yugoslavia
Tagged Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia, Crown Princess Katherine of Yugoslavia, Death, Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia, Prince Peter of Yugoslavia, Prince Philip of Yugoslavia, Religion.