NEW YORK: April 27, 2020
The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad sends condolences to Metropolitan German of Kursk and Rylsk on the death of Bishop Veniamin of Zheleznogorsk and Lgov

To His Eminence Metropolitan GERMAN
of Kursk and Rylsk,
To the Clergy and Flock of the Zheleznogorsk Diocese

Your Eminence Vladyko!

Dear in the Lord Fathers, Brothers and Sisters:

CHRIST IS RISEN!

Having heard of the death of Vladyka Veniamin, I hasten on the bright period of Holy Pascha, which bolsters our hope for eternal life, to express my condolences personally along with those of the archpastors, brethren and parishioners of the Russian Church Abroad.

The Lord allowed me to make the acquaintance of the reposed hierarch during that blessed time when he was the Prior of Kursk-Root Hermitage, the site of the discovery of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign.” His Grace first saw this miracle-working image in the USA, while still an abbot, when he visited at the end of 2008. I remember being moved by his piety, joy and tears of gratitude as he approached the icon of the Mother of God when he visited us. Then the Most-Pure Mother presented him with the opportunity more than once to prayerfully venerate Her image at Kursk-Root Hermitage.

I believe that the Most-Blessed Hodigitria Herself is meeting and escorting the soul of Her servant to the eternal abodes. The now-reposed Vladyka Veniamin even now rejoices over her in the realm of the righteous, praising the Risen Christ, Giver-of-Life, together with His Co-Eternal Father and Most-Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

Eternal memory, and may he repose with the saints!

With Paschal joy in the Resurrected Christ, and my earnest sympathies,

+HILARION,
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York,
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.