DIOCESE OF BERLIN AND GERMANY: July 5, 2010
Munich: Two Hierarchs of the Diocese of Berlin and Germany survive a car accident

Two Hierarchs of the Diocese of Berlin and Germany Survive a Car Accident

At approximately midnight of July 4, 2010, His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany and His Grace Bishop Agapit of Stuttgart, returning to the Monastery of St Job of Pochaev in Munich-Obermenzig from a visit to the Women's Skete in Buchendorf, were involved in an auto accident in Bavaria.

Upon entering the A8 highway between Stuttgart and Munich, the BMW carrying the hierarchs was hit from behind by a car driven by a drunk driver who had been celebrating Germany's victory over Argentina in the World Cup games in South Africa.

Vladyka Mark, sitting in the back seat, and the driver, suffered no injuries, but Vladyka Agapit, who was sitting beside the driver, suffered injuries to the back and neck.

"The back of his seat was broken and flew back, so this was a strong collision, said Vladyka Mark. "The back of the car was crumpled like an accordion and is beyond repair."

That night, the hierarchs were examined by doctors at Dritter Orden Hospital in Munich. Vladyka Agapit was treated and released. Later that night they returned to St Job Monastery.

As a result of this accident, however, Vladyka Agapit must postpone his planned July 5 trip to the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, where he was to serve on a temporary basis.