The Primate of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, Metropolitan Rostislav, expressed his heartfelt condolences to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia following the tragic terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert hall in Krasnogorsk. As of March 25, the devastating incident resulted in the loss of 137 lives.
Please, read the full letter below:
Your Holiness, Beloved Brother and Co-Servant in the Lord,
It is with a heavy heart that I received the news of the tragic events that unfolded at the Crocus City Hall concert hall in Krasnogorsk. The senseless loss of life and the terror inflicted upon the innocent have deeply shaken us all.
In the midst of this sorrow, we are reminded of the fleeting nature of life, as described by the Apostle James, and the urgency to stand against the forces of darkness that seek to disrupt the peace and sanctity of human existence: Life is “like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes” (James 4: 14). Let us, therefore, draw strength from our faith in Christ and extend our compassion and support to those who are in need of spiritual solace during this trying time.
On behalf of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, I offer our heartfelt condolences to Your Holiness, the entire Russian Orthodox Church, and the families affected by this tragedy. May our prayers serve as a source of comfort and healing for the departed and those who mourn their loss, trusting in the mercy of our Lord, who is the God of the living and the righteous.
With love and solidarity in Christ,
ROSTISLAV, Metropolitan of the Czech Lands and Slovakia
Translated from Russian by: Konstantinos Menyktas
