“On this day, one year on the passing of Metropolitan Gennadios, we remember and pay tribute to an exemplary church leader, a profound theologian, a professor, a sensitive pastor, a prominent personality of the ecumenical movement—respected and known worldwide—but mostly to a friend, who is greatly missed,” reads the message.
“We commemorate his lifetime of truthfully and generously sharing his Orthodox theological, liturgical, and spiritual riches.”
The WCC message also commemorates a companion, a counsellor in difficult situations, and a person of dialogue in all circumstances.
“The World Council of Churches remains and will always be deeply indebted to Metropolitan Gennadios,” reads the message. “We thank God for the indescribable depth of his contributions, many of which are still growing into fruition.”
The message offered thanksgiving prayers for his life and work. “We remember his kindness, his truly catholic, universal openness to others,” reads the message.
“His ecumenical family will always miss him. His collegiality, spirituality, and ecumenical commitment is most dearly remembered with great appreciation and thanks.”
The written message, sent by WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay to the memorial service, was read by WCC communication officer Xanthi Morfi.
One year Memorial Service, 28 May 2023, Monastery of Timios Prodromos, Akritochori, Greece
As the leadership of the World Council of Churches, and on behalf of the entire fellowship and the staff of the Council, we address this message of commemoration for the life of Metropolitan Gennadios of Sassima, a most eminent hierarch of the Orthodox Church, who has also served for decades in leadership positions of the WCC.
On this day, one year on the passing of Metropolitan Gennadios we remember and pay tribute to an exemplary church leader, a profound theologian, a professor, a sensitive pastor, a prominent personality of the ecumenical movement—respected and known worldwide—but mostly as a friend, who is greatly missed. He led a principled life devoted at all terms to promote unity and ecumenism.
We commemorate his lifetime of truthfully and generously sharing his Orthodox theological, liturgical, and spiritual riches. We commemorate a companion, a counsellor in difficult situations, and a person of dialogue in all circumstances and under all circumstances. Metropolitan Gennadios was a careful listener who was always grounded in consistency between theory and praxis, in truth and in love, whether in academic circles, traveling the world, or simply in personal encounters. He travelled with us for so many years, enriched us, helped us to understand, reflected and decided with us.
The World Council of Churches remains and will always be deeply indebted to Metropolitan Gennadios. We thank God for the indescribable depth of his contributions, many of which are still growing into fruition. He was leader of the assembly planning committee leading up to the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, where his presence was sorely missed. But his spirit was present among us.
We have tried to carry through his determination and inspiration to grow opportunities for encounter and meetings, for theological dialogue that challenges people and communions to accept their differences—yet come together in peace.
His many friends and companions from our long ecumenical pilgrimage offer today thanksgiving prayers for his life and work and preserve his memory. We remember his kindness. His truly catholic, universal openness to others. His deep fidelity to the tradition and dogmas of the Orthodox Church.
His readiness to serve, and find responses and solutions through truly the most difficult moments in the life of the World Council of Churches. His constant accompaniment to his students and the younger generation entering the ecumenical structures. There are so many qualities: gentle authority. Human warmth. Determination. Sharp analysis. His all-important sense of humor.
In the person of the late Metropolitan Gennadios, the Ecumenical Patriarchate offered to the WCC and the wider ecumenical movement an ecumenical visionary and a precious gift, a bridge-builder: between Orthodox and other churches, between the whole fellowship of member churches, between ecumenical partners.
He exemplified the ethos of consensus decision-making. The gravity of his contribution to the oikoumene and the importance of his sacrificial commitment to the Council are yet to be unfolded as years pass by. History will position him to the place deserved.
His ecumenical family will always miss him. His collegiality, spirituality, and ecumenical commitment is most dearly remembered with great appreciation and thanks.
Absent from his body, he is surely present with the Lord.
“Within Your peace, O Lord, where all Your saints repose, give rest also to the soul of Your servant Metropolitan Gennadios, for You alone are immortal” (Prayer from the Orthodox Tradition for the departed).
May the blessings and peace of our Triune God be with you all.
Yours in Christ,
