To His Eminence, the Very Most Reverend
ARSENY
Metropolitan of Svyatogorsk
and the Brethren of Holy Dormition Svyatogorsk Lavra

Your Eminence,
Very Most Reverend Master!

It was with deep sorrow and heartfelt pain that we learned about the tragic passing of Monk Varsonofy of Svyatogorsk Lavra, who died at the hands of lawless men. During these difficult days, we join in prayer to share in the grief of Your Eminence and all the brethren of the holy monastery, offering you our sincere, brotherly condolences.

Svatogorsk Lavra holds a special place both in the spiritual memory of the Russian Church and in the heart of the Russian Church Abroad. In the 20th century, the Holy Mountains became a haven for refugees and also welcomed the monastic brethren expelled from the community of Pochaev, who were saving their sacred things from destruction.

Some of them, later finding themselves outside their homeland, looked back on this time warmly. Now, this ancient tradition of hospitality has manifested once again in all its strength: since 2014, the Lavra has reopened its doors to thousands of people who have lost their homes. It is also no accident that the memory of the Holy Hierarch John, Archbishop of Shanghai & San Francisco, the Wonderworker, born in the village of Adamovka, connects the Svyatogorsk monastery with the spiritual life of the Russian Church Abroad: some of the sacred things belonging to St. John are kept here.

This connection is not just a historical memory for us. It is evidence that, despite distances, tribulation, and the passage of time, the united spirit of Orthodox monasticism and Christian charity unites Svyatogorsk with the children of the Russian Church, who by God’s will have been scattered throughout the world.

Today, as a new tragedy has touched the brethren of Svyatogorsk, we once again feel ourselves standing beside you – not only in heart, but also in prayer. We lift up our fervent prayers to the Lord for the repose of the newly departed Monk Varsonofy, that the Lord may place him "where the light of His Face shineth," forgive him all his sins voluntary and involuntary, and grant him eternal rest in the dwellings of the righteous. We also pray for the health and strengthening of the wounded Monk Gregory and all those affected, for the safety of the Svyatogorsk monastery, and for the courage and spiritual strengthening of its brethren.

Especially in these days, we turn our gaze in prayer to those refugees and suffering people whom the Svyatogorsk Lavra still receives, shepherds, and surrounds with monastic prayer and care. May the Lord not abandon them in their time of trial, and may He cover them with His mercy.

The radiant feast of Svyatogorsk Lavra – the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos – is approaching. In these days, let us especially pray to the Most Blessed Virgin for the sending of enduring and comforting joy to all of you at the Pascha of the Theotokos, who in her Dormition has not abandoned us!

May the prayer of all the brethren of the Lavra, now joined with the prayers of the brothers and sisters from the Russian Church Abroad, become a spiritual protection for all who are going through this difficult time. And may the memory of the martyrdom of the Monk Varsonofy serve for all of us not only as a reminder of the tragedy, but also as a testimony of faithfulness to Christ, to the monastic calling, and to the holy place to which he dedicated his life.

As I ask for the prayers of the saints, I remain with fraternal love in the Lord,

+NICHOLAS
Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia