Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanych) expressed his condolences over the death of the Primate of the Serbian Church

According to him, the late Patriarch was one of the pillars of faith in recent times.

"He never compromised with his conscience, even under intense external pressure. Patriarch Irinej was one of those people for whom loyalty to Christ and ecclesial rules was higher than momentary political trends.

Now we empathize with the faithful of the Serbian Orthodox Church, but believing in the Risen Lord, we also hope that Patriarch Irinej is now in the tabernacles of the righteous, will pray even more fervently for his flock and all Orthodox people," the Metropolitan of the UOC - MP stressed.