With profound sorrow and heartfelt grief, I received the news of the passing of the Very Rev Dr Patrick Sookhdeo – a faithful servant of Christ, a compassionate advocate for the persecuted Church, and a man whose entire life was devoted to the suffering, forgotten and persecuted Christians of our world.
On behalf of the Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese of Germany, I extend my deepest condolences to his beloved wife Rosemary, to his family, to the entire TBF Trust family and all who were privileged to labour alongside him in his noble and Christ-centred mission.
From the time I served at the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate in Damascus, I came to know Dr Patrick Sookhdeo as a man of remarkable generosity, sincere faith, and unwavering dedication to charitable service. During some of the most painful years endured by the peoples of Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and the Middle East in general he stood steadfastly beside the poor, the displaced, the persecuted and the needy. Through his compassionate efforts and tireless support, countless Christian families received humanitarian assistance, encouragement, and hope, together with the comforting assurance that they had not been abandoned or forgotten by the wider Body of Christ.
His love and concern for the suffering Church knew no bounds or limitations. Even after my appointment as Archbishop in Germany, Dr Patrick continued to support generously our Mor Jacob Monastery and numerous pastoral, humanitarian, and charitable initiatives within our Archdiocese. His kindness, encouragement and practical assistance were always offered with humility, wisdom and genuine Christian compassion.
Dr Patrick Sookhdeo leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of faith, courage, scholarship and sacrificial service. He dedicated his life to giving a voice to persecuted Christians and to bearing the burdens of those who suffered in silence. In many ways, his life reflected the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did it for Me”. (Matthew 25:40)
The Syriac Orthodox Church in Germany joins you in mourning this immense loss, while at the same time giving thanks to Almighty God for the blessed life, witness and ministry of His faithful servant. We pray that our Lord Jesus Christ may grant rest to his soul in the heavenly dwellings among the righteous, and comfort all who grieve his departure.
May his memory be blessed, and may he rest in peace and rise in glory.
Metropolitan Philoxenus Mattias Nayis, the Patriarchal Vicar of the Archdiocese Germany of the Syrian Orthodox Church
- Metropolitan Philoxenus Mattias Navis