Orthodox archbishop served with grace in Pa.

Archbishop Kyrill, the ruling hierarch of the Bulgarian Diocese of the Orthodox Church in America, died on Sunday, June 17, 2007, at Cranberry Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Cranberry. He was 87.

Born Ilia Yonchev in the Bulgarian city of Panaguriste, the archbishop was respected as a kind and gracious shepherd who for 29 years tended to his flock.

He was known for his defiance of fascism and communism.

As the abbot of the Bachkovo Monastery during World War II, he and his monks risked their lives by hiding Bulgarian Jews in the depths of the monastery to save them from the Nazis.

During the Communist takeover of Bulgaria in the 1950s, he defied the authorities and immigrated to the United States, where he continued his ministry. In 1992, he was elevated to the rank of archbishop of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania.

As a valuable member of the executive council of the Christian Associates of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Archbishop Kyrill was known for his ecumenical spirit, said his friend and colleague Metropolitan Maximos, Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh.

"Bishop Kyrill worked closely and was respected by the Associates who represent many of the Christian denominations in Southwestern Pennsylvania," Maximos said.

He recalled Archbishop Kyrill's participation in the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas, dedicated to the educational, charitable and missionary endeavors of the Orthodox Church.

Archbishop Kyrill is survived by a sister, Ophelia Dinkov; and two nephews, Kyrill Yonchev and Michael Dinkov.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mancho and Anna Yonchev; and his brother, Stefan.

Archbishop Kyrill will lie in state at St. Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral, Red Coach and Thompson Run roads, McCandless, from 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday.

Divine Liturgy will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at the church. Interment will follow at the cemetery of Transfiguration Monastery, Ellwood City.