Metropolitan Herman offers prayers for health of Antiochian Metropolitan Philip

— His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, assured His Eminence, Metropolitan Philip of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America of his prayers and the prayers of the faithful of the Orthodox Church in America in a letter dated October 20, 2005.

One week earlier, Metropolitan Philip had been hospitalized. According to the archdiocese’s web site, his condition continues to improve, and his doctors are pleased with his progress to date. Physicians have not announced a projected date for his release from the hospital.

The text of Metropolitan Herman’s letter reads as follows.

“Please accept this sincere expression of the concern and sincere best wishes of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America as well as those of all the hierarchs, clergy, monastics, and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America as you continue your recuperation. Be assured of our prayers that the Lord will restore Your Eminence to full health and strength so that you may quickly return to the exercise of the archpastoral responsibilities with which He has entrusted you.”