It's been announced renowned Eastern Orthodox theologian and bishop Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia has died.
According to the Holy Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain, he passed away on Wednesday. He was 87.
The archdiocese said in a statement: "A noted scholar, lecturer and author, and devout and faithful clergyman, a beloved spiritual father, His Excellency served Christ and His Church for many years. His words, spoken and written, made Orthodoxy known to the entire world, especially to his native land.
"The clergy are asked to offer the appropriate memorial services and the faithful are asked to pray that God will receive his soul in His Kingdom and number him among the just."
The Metropolitan of Belgium, Athenagoras, also paid tribute to him.
He said in a Facebook post: "We thank God for who he was and what he meant to the Orthodox Church worldwide and to humanity.
"I myself was blessed to meet him from childhood, when my father regularly invited him to give lectures in Ghent (Belgium). I was also blessed to succeed him in the international dialogue between the Orthodox and Anglican Churches. May his memory be eternal!"
According to the Orthodox Times, Ware was in critical condition earlier this month.
Ware was hailed as one of the most celebrated Eastern Orthodox theologians. He was a Spalding Lecturer of Eastern Orthodox Studies at the University of Oxford from 1966 to 2001.
