Patriarchal condolences over the passing away of Metropolitan Daniel of Tokyo

DECR Communication Service, 10.08.2023

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia expressed condolences over the death of Metropolitan Daniel of Tokyo and All Japan.

To His Eminence Seraphim, Archbishop of Sendai, Vicar of Tokyo

To the honourable clergy and laity of the Japanese Autonomous Orthodox Church

Your Eminence, dear Vladyka Seraphim,

All-Honourable Fathers,

Dear brothers and sisters,

Please accept my deep and heartfelt condolences over the passing away of His Eminence Metropolitan Daniel of Tokyo and All Japan. Before the Lord took him, His Eminence had served as Primate of the Japanese Autonomous Orthodox Church for nearly a quarter of a century. The departed archpastor, now dwelling in eternal mansions, was a man of godly wisdom and ardent prayer, as well as a model of virtues for Orthodox Christians in the Land of the Rising Sun, who found in him a loving father.

Born into a pious family, Vladyka Daniel responded to God’s call in his early youth, received theological education and holy orders, devoting his whole self to the Holy Church. A man of intelligence and vast knowledge, he had a quiet and meek disposition.

His election to the Primatial Throne of the Japanese Orthodox Church was an act of Divine Providence. Never striving for a senior position or honours, he did not expect to be elevated to the lofty Primatial office and humbly accepted his lot. Over the years of his archpastoral service, Metropolitan Daniel did much to establish the Holy Orthodoxy in the land where St. Nicholas of Japan had performed his apostolic labours.

I hold dear memories of my meetings with Metropolitan Daniel and our joint prayers. My heart grieved as I learned of his demise. Sharing your sorrow, I pray that our Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life (Jn. 11:25), may give rest to the soul of His departed servant in a place of brightness, a place of refreshment, a place of repose where all sickness, sighing, and sorrow have fled away.

Eternal and good memory to His Eminence Metropolitan Daniel!

With love in Christ,

+KIRILL

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA

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Patriarchal condolences over the passing away of Metropolitan Daniel of Tokyo

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