To the reverend clergy and the right-faithful people of Bulgaria,
Beloved in Christ brothers and sisters, with incomparable sadness have I found of the departure to the eternity of His Beatitude Patriarch Maxim, vivid enlightener and pillar of hope and faith for the Bulgarian Church, and good example for other sister-Churches.
We came to know the worthy of commemoration Hierarch as a rightful and thoughtful pastor, who, trialed by time and temptations, remained steady in his mission of guiding a nation well-known for their faithfulness.
Today we mourn, bowing our heads, and praying before the All-Merciful God for the repose of His Beatitude, who has been carrying his cross here, on earth, with admirable submission and self-denial. We pray for the sons and daughters of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, for wisdom and strength, to continue the way and cause of Patriarch Maxim, for the triumph of faith and salvation of souls.
With regret and brotherly love,
+ VLADIMIR,
METROPOLITAN OF CHISINAU AND ALL MOLDOVA