NEW YORK: April 24, 2008
Today, Great Thursday, the churches of the Russian Church Abroad Will Prayerfully Commemorate His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus

Today is the fortieth day of the repose of His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus, who departed to the Lord on the day of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. This fortieth day falls on Great Thursday, the day our Lord Jesus Christ established the Mystery of the Eucharist, when the believer is in closest communion with God. On this day, He raised his Priestly prayers, during which the Lord commanded us: “That they all be as one.” The late Vladyka was a pious celebrant of the Divine Liturgy, and his life, his monastic podvig and many years of episcopal service were crowned by his direct participation in the great deed of the reestablishment of unity within the Russian Orthodox Church, and thereby manifested the Triumph of Orthodoxy. 

In accordance with the rule of church services, which His Eminence Vladyka loved, the Synod of Bishops decided that today, His Eminence shall be commemorated at the Proskomedia and during the Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy of Great Thursday, and a solemn pannikhida is to be served on the Day of Rejoicing [Radonitsa]. 

May the Lord keep his bright soul in repose in the abode of the righteous!