OREANDA-NEWS. March 17, 2008. President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II following the passing of First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York Lavr.

The President’s message reads, in particular:

“For more than fifty years, Metropolitan Lavr carried out his duties as an Orthodox clergyman with love and devotion. During these last years, the burden of responsibilities upon his shoulders increased greatly. He was chairman of the Hierarchical Council and the Hierarchical Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, superior of the Svyato-Troitsky Monastery in Jordanville, famous outside Russia, and chief editor of the religious and social journal Orthodox Russia. All of his numerous activities were devoted to providing spiritual and moral nurture to the Russian emigrant community, helping its members to remain true to the Orthodox faith and preserve their love for their homeland.

Metropolitan Lavr played an exceptional part in paving the way for the reunification of the Russian Orthodox Church and signing together with you the Act of Canonical Communion. Grateful generations to come will never forget this historic event.

I ask you to pass on my sincere condolences to the clergy and parishioners of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia”.

The Act of Canonical Communion, the document that ended the separation within the Russian Orthodox Church, was signed on May 17, 2007.