MOSCOW: March 17, 2008
The Fund of St Andrew the First-called Sends Condolences

To the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia: 

On behalf of the Council of the Fund of St Andrew the First-called and the Center for National Glory, allow me to express our deep and heartfelt condolences on the repose of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus of Eastern America and New York. 

His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus will remain with us as a zealous preserver of Orthodox tradition outside of our Fatherland, as a person who made a great contribution in the healing of the wounds inflicted upon Russian society as a result of the tragic history of our State. 

With the blessing of His Eminence Vladyka, many things were accomplished which served the spiritual renewal of Russia, among which were the travels of the relics of St Elizaveta Feodorovna, the Grand Duchess, and Nun Varvara throughout the canonical territory of the Moscow Patriarchate. 

The pinnacle of the spiritual podvig of Metropolitan Laurus was the signing of the Act of Canonical Communion and the reunification of the two branches of the Russian Orthodox Church in May, 2007. 

The tireless work of Metropolitan Laurus in serving God and mankind was highly valued by Russian society. In December, 2007, His Eminence was honored as the St Andrew the First-called International Laureate “For Faith and Faithfulness.” 

The death of Metropolitan Laurus is an irreplaceable loss not only for the Russian Orthodox Church, but for Russian society as a whole. 

Eternal memory to him! 

V. Yakunin

President of the Council of the Fund of St Andrew the First-called
And the Center for National Glory