Christ is risen! On behalf of the hierarchs, clergy, and faithful of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph sends his heartfelt condolences to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and the hierarchs, clergy, and faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, upon the falling asleep in the Lord on Monday, November 2, 2020, of His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos, formerly of Pittsburgh. The late Metropolitan retired due to failing health in August 2011, but continued to be a beloved and much respected figure in the Metropolis which he had served for over thirty years, as well as throughout the Orthodox world. His Grace Bishop Thomas of the Antiochian Archdiocese will represent His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph at the funeral.
In a letter to Archbishop Elpidophoros, Metropolitan Joseph wrote:
November 3, 2020
His Eminence Archbishop ELPIDOPHOROS
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
New York, NY
Your Eminence, Beloved Brother and Concelebrant in the Divine Mysteries:
It is with deep sadness and a sense of loss that we learned of the passing into eternal life of His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of thrice-blessed memory. Metropolitan Maximos was an old and dear friend of our Archdiocese, maintaining a close relationship with our hierarchs, clergy and laity as a professor in the Antiochian House of Studies.
To the Orthodox world he was a great theologian and professor, but to his flock he was a devoted spiritual father. I recently read the following in a book that I think applies correctly to Metropolitan Maximos, “The theologians of the ancient Church were not men who sat behind a desk surrounded by books, dictionaries, reference books, and academic textbooks. The overwhelming majority of church fathers were bishops or monks: they either actively studied church functions or worshiped in a monastery. Their theology was born from an inner mystical, enriching experience, coming into contact daily with Church Tradition through the liturgical services, prayer, the reading of Scripture, and relationships with the people of God.” In my opinion, this quote describes Metropolitan Maximos perfectly and shows that, thanks be to God, we also have modern examples to emulate. He was a theologian in the true, patristic sense of the word and will remain a great example to all who knew him.
On behalf of the hierarchs, clergy and faithful of our God-protected Archdiocese, please accept our sincere condolences and know that we join you and your Archdiocese in offering up prayers for the repose of his soul. May his thrice-blessed memory be eternal and may his soul rest with the saints.
Your Brother in Christ,
+JOSEPH
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America
PDF version
Read His Eminence’s condolence letter to His Eminence Metropolitan SAVAS, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh (PDF)
Read the obituary for His Eminence on goarch.org