January 21, 2010

In a congratulatory letter to Bishop Irinej (Gavrilovic) of Nis, who was elected patriarch by the holy assembly of bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church on Friday, 22 January, the general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit expressed " extraordinary joy" at the news of the election.

"On behalf of the entire fellowship of the WCC member churches, in their deep commitment to make our unity in Christ visible, please accept, Your Eminence, our warmest congratulations and assurance of prayer that God will continue to bless the Serbian Orthodox Church through your leadership," Tveit wrote.

Full text of the letter: http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=7515.

More information on the Serbian Orthodox Church: http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=4858.

World Council of Churches