Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh, who died on August 4 aged 89, was the senior Russian Orthodox archbishop in Western Europe, and the best known Orthodox cleric in Britain.
The archbishop was well known for his books on spirituality, including Beginning to Pray.
Although a loner and difficult to work with at times, Anthony was never aloof. Like all Orthodox bishops he was easily accessible to his flock, and this could have comical results. When one parishioner rang to say that “Peter” had died and asked for prayers, the Archbishop immediately complied, later asking when the funeral would be. “Oh, there won’t be one,” he was told. “We flushed Peter down the loo.” Peter turned out to be a budgerigar.