The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-29
o , I = q ART
Tho Metropolitan Of .,Isscov.

The Metropolitnu Of Moscow.
letter from st. Petersburg, OF the 5th, says thas
the previous Sunday the great DELL Of tho Krcmlin
nounced to the inhabitants Of Moscow the death Of hs
venerable Phlante, the senior Metropolitan u the
Greek Church. This event quite unexpected, for
he had performed divine the very day u hs
death After leaving church no retired for short tine
TO take some repose and shortly afterwards no dis
covered lying feless the door, with his face turne1
70 the holy imaae suspended from the wall.
Philante one Of the abiest and mot profound
Metropolitans Of the Greek Chu,cn For fifty years he
had presided the See Of Moscow and for more
than seventy he had been OF The most proEn
priests in the Church in Russia BY his extraordi
nary talents his broad Christian aud phianthr0pic life,
his liberal views aud kindly disposition, he had become
people OF Russia In influence he rvaied the Czar but
always lent 10 good cause He was IN active sup.
porter OF the imperial dynasty and personal friend Of
the present Emperor, whose grandfather, Alexander
testified his appreciation Of ms and talents ~
bestowing upon him the decoration = ST. Anne and sub
scquently BY raising him the lofty position Of Metro
poltan Of Moscow. The Emperor Nicholas found IN him
firm friend and wise counsellor and showessd upoa
him the highest honors. Last rprng at the fteth an
nversary OF his call to the Episcopacy, the Emperor
Alexander wrote him most touching letter, congssus
laiing MIN tho event and expressing In unqualified
terms his love and respect and bis kind wishes IN
future The Metropolitan lived for many years during
the summer months the Troiisko monastery, aboos
forty miles from MOSCOW, one Of the HOLY shrnes 70
which the dcvou made yearly pisrmages Tor hundreds
I =. n. sfs sa.s ,a s S sea susus ne
weary pilgrims and they returned boms light Of heart
and supremey happy
Phlsnc vas nearly eighty i've years OF age In APP
pearance no o. niidng height erect. but Of .
fragile and delicate organization HIS face was tnin bus
expressive; his LONG hair ard panarchal beard 1owing
down bis breast white a. snow, giving him mos
venerable appearance His voice was feeble but his h
retained ts vigor to the very last while his s4
iustrous and expressive never lost their brilliancy
ALFRED In his white. lowing robes crowned with he
high bat from which fsIl, Ia folds, tue eeci:s-
aslicaI veil OF lacc, and wearing upon his
breast tho highest decorations OF the cmpirv,
along With massive golden cross richly studded wtn
diamonds attached to his neck BY heavy chsin-thO
symbol Of his oicchs Of the most Interesting
and ., tho same time impressive digniianes u n
world
Mr. For and tho American ofhcen paid him visis =
1860 tho Trotsko monastery. and we're rsceavsd ~
him IN the most friendly ana genial manner. no inca
manifested lively interest in American Affairs ana ex-
pressed his sympathy for the Unou His sue-
den death will be keeniy felt wherever tho Greek re
gon extends and especially In every haDtAfiou nem
the palace 70 the peasants hut throukhoss shs eFoeA
empire OF Russa