A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY
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| Volume 6 Number 38 - Tuesday, September 21st, 2004 |
A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY |
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The Orthodox Christian News Service |
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HELICOPTER CRASH CLAIMS LIFE OF PATRIARCH PETROS OF ALEXANDRIA AND ALL AFRICA The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), St. Augustine, FL - Saturday morning, September 11, 2004, a Greek military helicopter crashed into the Aegean Sea, claiming the life of Patriarch Petros of Alexandria and All Africa, en route to Mount Athos. Sixteen other people traveling with the Patriarch including three other bishops, among them His Grace Nectarios, Bishop of Madagascar, were also taken. The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) mourns the loss of these holy men. Fr. Martin Ritsi, OCMC Executive Director said, “It was with deep sadness and shock that I learned of the tragic helicopter crash. We offer prayers for the repose of these servants of God and for all those who depended on these dedicated and vibrant leaders, who were so deeply committed to missions in Africa.” Patriarch Petros, the spiritual leader of the estimated 300,000 Orthodox Christians in Africa, though only 55 years old, had accomplished much. He was born in Cyprus, ordained in 1969, served as a priest in Johannesburg, South Africa and was the Metropolitan of West Africa covering 22 countries before he became the 115th Patriarch of Alexandria in 1997. His revitalizing efforts and missionary vision contributed greatly to the growth of the Orthodox Church in Africa. His Grace Nectarios Bishop of Madagascar, from Australia, can be credited with the recovery and growth of the Orthodox Church in Madagascar. In 1994 he arrived on the island and within 18 months started 20 new parishes. He went from village to village to meet with people who might be interested in the Faith. After only two years, several local priests were ordained and the Divine Liturgy had been translated into the local language. Within only 10 years, the Orthodox Church in Madagascar now has 15,000 members.
Along with
Patriarch Petros and Bishop Nectarios, other
hierarchs and clergy who were lost in the accident
included His Eminence Ireneus, Metropolitan on
Pelusim; His Eminence Chrysostomos, Metropolitan
of Carthage; Archimandrite Arsenios, Archimandrite
Kallistratos and Deacon Nektarios Kontogiorgos.
The Patriarch’s brother, as well as the
Patriarch’s legal, technical, and press advisors
along with 5 crew members also lost their lives in
the tragic crash. |
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