Condolences From:
The Roman Catholic Diocese
of Scranton

March 16, 2011

To the Reverend clergy and the faithful of the entire American-Carpatho Russian Orthodox
Diocese of the United States of America

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On behalf of the Most Reverend James C. Timlin, D.D, Bishop Emeritus of Scranton; the Most Reverend Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist. E.D., Bishop Emeritus of Scranton; the Most Reverend John M. Dougherty, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Scranton; the clergy; religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Scranton,I wish to express heartfelt sympathy and assurances of prayer as you mourn theloss of your beloved spiritual father,and our dear brother in the Lord, His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas of Amissos, who fell asleep in the Lord on March 13, 2011 after a courageous battle with cancer.

The Diocese of Scranton was privileged to welcome Metropolitan Nicholas to the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, January 24, 2002, as the first Orthodox hierarch to preach in the pulpit of our Cathedral Church. During an Ecumenical Celebration of God's Word, commemorating the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Metropolitan Nicholas exhorted us to remain faithful to our Christian calling to work for the unity of the Church, in season and out of season. While acknowledging the reality of the differences that do still divide us, Metropolitan Nicholas strongly encouraged us to journey together, side by side, opening to a deeper understanding and appreciation of what we truly share in common – especially our faith in the one Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Along with the other Christian leaders and faithful present that day, we were afforded a unique opportunity for the Church to breathe and pray with both lungs – East and West.

Togetherwith you, we mourn the loss of a true servant of the Lord and a courageous leader in the modern ecumenical movement. May his example of humble, gentle and compassionate care for the flock entrusted tohis pastoral care inspire all of us to offer our lives in loving service of God and His Holy Church.

"May Christ, our true God, risen from the dead, place the soul of His departeds servant, Metropolitan Nicholas, in the abode of the Saints, grant him rest in the bosom of Abraham, and number him among the righteous, through the prayers of His most pure Mother, of the holy, glorious and praiseworthy Apostles, ofour venerable and God-bearing Fathers, and of all the Saints, may He have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and loves mankind." (from The Panachida, The Office of Christian Burial).

May his memory be eternal! Vi?naja pamja?.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

†Joseph C. Bambera
Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D, J.C.L.