Archbishop Sergius [Konovalov], Exarch of the Patriarch of Constantinople in Western Europe and Rector of Saint Sergius Institute, dies in Paris

The Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America has been informed of the death of His Eminence, Archbishop Sergius (Konovalov) of Eukarpia, Exarch of the Patriarch of Constantinople in Western Europe and Rector of Saint Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute, Paris, France, on January 22, 2003.

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, expressed deep sorrow upon learning of Archbishop Sergius’ death. Metropolitan Herman planned to host Archbishop Sergius in May 2003 during the annual Memorial Day Pilgrimage to Saint Tikhon Monastery, South Canaan, PA.

The cause of Archbishop Sergius’ death was listed as cancer.

Born in Louvain, Belgium on July 8, 1941, Archbishop Sergius completed studies at the Philological Faculty of the University of Louvain in 1964. For many years, he taught foreign languages and ancient world history at a Belgian secondary school.

In 1968, he was ordained to the diaconate. After his ordination to the priesthood In 1980, he was appointed rector of Saint Panteleimon Church, Brussels, Belgium. Following the death of his wife in 1984, he received the monastic tonsure and subsequently was elevated to the rank of archimandrite. In 1993, he was elected Archbishop of Eukarpia, overseeing the Archdiocese of Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The following year he was appointed rector of Saint Sergius Institute. In recent years, he served as a member of the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops in France.

“The Western European Exarchate was established within the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate during the tenure of His Eminence, Metropolitan Evlogy [Georgiyevsky],” according to the Very Rev. John Matusiak, OCA Communications Director. “The Exarchate ministers primarily, but not exclusively, to Orthodox Christians of Russian anscestry, many of whom are descendants of immigrants who settled in western Europe after the Russian Revolution.

Archbishop Sergius’ funeral will be held in Paris’ historic Cathedral of Saint Alexander Nevsky on Saturday, January 25. Burial will follow in the crypt of Holy Dormition Church at the Russian Orthodox Cemetery in Sainte-Genevieve-des-Bois.