Springfield, Virginia, February 3, 2025
Met. Tikhon (right) and Bp. Matthew (left) issued statements of condolences. Photo: orthodoxyinamerica.org
The primate of the Orthodox Church in America issued a statement of condolences concerning the mid-air collision in Washington, D.C. on January 29, in which 67 people lost their lives.
Among the victims were active Orthodox Christians.
His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of Washington and All America and Canada writes:
With great sorrow we have learned of the tragic plane crash that took place over the Potomac River on the night of Wednesday, January 29, 2025, claiming the lives of all on board. Among the departed were Aleksandra Ter and her daughter Olivia, two long-time parishioners of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, DC.
On behalf of the clergy and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, I extend my deepest condolences to all their family and friends, and to the family and friends of all who perished in this disaster. I urge the faithful to pray for the families of all the victims and all those affected by the tragedy, and especially for the Ter family and all their friends and loved ones. I also ask you to join me in beseeching the Lord on behalf of the newly-departed handmaidens of God Aleksandra and Olivia.
May the Lord grant them rest with the righteous departed, and may their memory be eternal!
His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA & Canada, also sent his condolences to President Trump:
The clergy and laity of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA with great sorrow received news of the plane crash in Washington, DC. Please accept our deepest and most sincere condolences in connection with the tragedy that claimed the lives of many people.
We pray to the God Who lovest mankind, for the repose of the victims and the consolation of all those grieving over the untimely death of their loved ones, as well as for the granting of spiritual and physical strength to all participants in the search and rescue operation.
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