Statement from His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon on the Plane Crash in Washington, DC
With great sorrow we have learned of the tragic plane crash that took place over the Potomac River on the night of Wednesday, January 29, 2025, claiming the lives of all on board. Among the departed were Aleksandra Ter and her daughter Olivia, two long-time parishioners of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, DC.
On behalf of the clergy and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, I extend my deepest condolences to all their family and friends, and to the family and friends of all who perished in this disaster. I urge the faithful to pray for the families of all the victims and all those affected by the tragedy, and especially for the Ter family and all their friends and loved ones. I also ask you to join me in beseeching the Lord on behalf of the newly-departed handmaidens of God Aleksandra and Olivia.
May the Lord grant them rest with the righteous departed, and may their memory be eternal!
+TIKHON
Archbishop of Washington
Metropolitan of All America and Canada