Metropolitan Herman sends condolences to Mrs. Nancy Reagan
On Monday, June 7, 2004, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, sent condolences to Mrs. Nancy Reagan on the repose of President Ronald Reagan.
The full text of the letter reads as follows.
“On behalf of the Holy Synod of Bishops, the Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, I wish to extend our sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved husband, President Ronald Reagan. Please accept our expression of heartfelt sympathy and prayerful support during this time of loss.
“President Reagan’s service to the people of this nation was truly exemplary and will be gratefully remembered for many generations to come. The manner in which he lived his life, with integrity and uprightness, is an example to us all. His acceptance of these past years of illness is yet another testimony to his character and personal strength.
“Please know of our prayerful support in this time of great personal loss. You are to be commended for providing this nation with an example of how to accept suffering and how to graciously provide loving service in a dignified manner, without question and without complaint.
“Be assured of our prayers for President Reagan, the newly-departed servant of God. May the Lord grant him rest with the saints and make his memory to be eternal!”