Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov sent a message of condolence to the Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic in the wake of passing away of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej.

The message said that for many years Patriarch Irinej has been contributing to the development of close ties between Russia and Serbia and to the strengthening of brotherly ties between two Orthodox churches and spiritual unity of the two peoples.

Expressing his most heartfelt condolences, Minister Lavrov said that the demise of Patriarch Irinej was a huge loss for the entire Serb people and the Orthodox community as well.