Greek Orthodox Church devastated over the loss of top leader; 16 others also feared dead

Egypt's Patriarch of Alexandria, Patriarch Petros, a top leader of the Greek Orthodox Church, was one of the passengers in a Chinook military helicopter that crashed in northern Greece. The aircraft was ferrying a delegation of religious officials to a monastery in Mount Athos, when it disappeared off radar some 10 miles off the coast of Cape Akras, and crashed into the Aegean Sea, according to a CNN report.

All 17 people on board are feared dead, and already several bodies have been recovered, according to Lt. Gen. Nikos Douvas.

Patriarch Petros of Alexandria, 55, was the leader of the Christian Orthodox church in Africa, which has some 300,000 members and is one of the world's oldest, allegedly dating back to the days of St. Mark. Eleven other church officials were on the aircraft when it crashed, as well as five crewmembers.

"We are devastated from this tragic accident where the Patriarch of Alexandria, venerable clerics, his staff and the crew lost their lives," Church of Greece leader Archbishop Christodoulos told the Reuters news agency.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America issued the following statement on behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod, the clergy, and the entire Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, expressing his deep sorrow for their great loss:

With all our heart we share in the deep sorrow of the Holy Patriarchate of Alexandria and of all Orthodox people around the world for this tragic event which unexpectedly today took away from us a prominent leader of our Church, Patriarch Petros of blessed memory; and a number of distinguished hierarchs, clergymen, laypeople and the crew members of the helicopter.

Patriarch Petros of Alexandria of blessed memory was a distinguished patriarch who during his tenure moved forward the work of the total revitalization of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, both in Egypt and in the rest of Africa. Most notable was his work in the development of the Metropolises all around Africa. Due to his work, Orthodoxy made great strides in the African continent and drew ever-increasing numbers of African people into the Orthodox family.

We pray fervently for the repose of the soul of Patriarch Petros of blessed memory and for the repose of the souls of those who perished along with him in this tragic event. We ask of our ever-compassionate God for His support from above to the deeply afflicted and bereaved Patriarchate of Alexandria and its people.

FMI: www.goarch.org