Correspondence from His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP Correspondence from His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP

Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

August 5, 2009
Mr. Charles Ajalat
LaCanada, CA

Dear Charles,

Greetings and blessings to you, Marilee, the children and grandchildren in the spirit of this Holy Dormition Fast.
I am in receipt of your correspondence dated August 2 and August 3, 2009, and it pains me very much to accept your resignation as Chancellor of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. I want to thank you for your kind words and the love which you have expressed to me in your letters.
You have called me a visionary Metropolitan. Thank you. Whatever visions our leadership has provided for this Archdiocese, during the past forty-three years, are a gift from God. If I may paraphrase the scripture, “If you do what I commend you to do, say, I am nothing but an idle servant.”
I want to thank you for your devotion and dedication to this Archdiocese during the past eighteen years. I remember your mentioning to me on several occasions that you want to retire from law practice and spend more time with your family. I am happy to know that you, Marilee and the children are planning a vacation on the occasion of your Fortieth Wedding Anniversary. Congratulations! I hope that your trip will be most enjoyable.
On a personal note, I will always cherish the hours and days of working together for this Archdiocese, for Orthodox unity in North America and mainly for the glory of God.
Thank you very much, Charles, and may this Dormition Fast bring to all of us a great measure of spiritual renewal and may the Holy Theotokos keep you and your family always in her care.
Appreciatively yours,

Source:
http://www.antiochian.org/node/20203