Hundreds Bid Farewell to Metropolitan Christopher at Funeral Matins

Hundreds of faithful and clergy from across the United States gathered at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago on Monday night to bid farewell to His Eminence Metropolitan Christopher of blessed repose, who fell asleep in the Lord on August 18th.

The Funeral service was celebrated by His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah, Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of America and Canada (OCA), and concelebrated by His Grace Bp. Georgije of Canada, His Grace Bp. Longin of the New Gracanica - Midwest Diocese, His Grace Bp. Mitrophan of the Eastern Diocese, His Grace Bp. Maxim of the Western American Diocese, His Grace Bp. Irinej of Australia and New Zeland, His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel of the Romanian Episcopate (O.C.A.), His Grace Bp. Petar of Cleveland, Vicar of Midwest Diocese (ROCOR), His Grace Bp. Mark - Diocese of Toledo and Midwest (Antiochian Orthodox Church), His Grace Bp. Daniel of Western Eparchy (Ukrainian), His Grace Bp. Demetrios of Mokissos (Greek Metropolitanate of Chicago).

The service was also attended by (reps from other churches), as well as the Ambassador of Bosnia-Herzegovina His Excellency Mr. Mirko Kujundzic and Consul General of the Republic of Serbia Mr. Desko Nikitovic.

Eulogizing the late Metropolitan, His Grace Bishop Georgije of Canada praised His Eminence for his work and sacrifices for establishing the unity of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North America and for his dedication to safeguarding the St. Sava Seminary in Libertyville.

Also, His Grace Bishop Mitrophan of Eastern America read a letter of condolence from His Holiness Patriarch Irinej and the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Belgrade.

Metropolitan Christopher was also eulogized by His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah, His Grace Bishop Peter of the ROCOR, and Fr. Dr. John Behr, Dean of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, while letters of condolence were read by His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and Bp. Daniel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA.

Following the funeral service, Cathedral Dean Fr. Darko Spasojevic invited the visiting hierarchs, dignitaries, clergy and parishioners to the Cathedral hall for a light meal prepared by parishioners.

Metropolitan Christopher of blessed memory will be buried tomorrow at St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville, Illinois, following a Hiearchical Divine Liturgy, which will begin at 9:00 AM.