Vilnius, April 4, 2025
Photo: orthodoxy.lt
On Thursday, April 3, the day when Lithuania bid farewell to American servicemen who died at the training ground in Pabradė, His Eminence Metropolitan Innocent of Vilnius and Lithuania offered prayers at the Holy Spirit Monastery in Vilnius for the repose of their souls.
Four American soldiers, Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, 28; Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., 25; Staff Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25; and Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, went missing during a military drill. After an extensive search, their vehicle was found submerged in a body of water in the training area.
President Gitanas Nausėda and other dignitaries joined thousands of others standing in respect as hearses carried the bodies of the four soldiers to Vilnius airport to be flown home.
Met. Innocent of Vilnius also sent a letter to the U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania, Kara McDonald, expressing condolences over the tragic death of American soldiers:
On behalf of the Lithuanian Orthodox Church, I express my sincere and deepest condolences regarding the tragic death of four American soldiers who were fulfilling their military duty.
We share the pain of this irreplaceable loss with the people of the United States and, like all of Lithuania, pray for the repose of the souls of the fallen, asking the Lord to grant comfort and strength to their families, relatives, and loved ones during these difficult days.
With love in the Lord,
INNOCENT
Metropolitan of Vilnius and Lithuania
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