South Africa Mourns Greek Orthodox Church Leader's Death: Mbeki

JOHANNESBURG, Sept 14 (AFP) - South Africa mourns the death of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria, who was closely linked to Africa's struggle to end poverty and underdevelopment, President Thabo Mbeki said Tuesday.
Peter VII, the spiritual leader of Greek Orthodox Christians in Africa and the second most senior figure in the Greek Orthodox Church, was among 17 people killed when a Greek army aircraft plunged into the Aegean Sea on Saturday.
"South Africans all share in mourning the death of a beloved figure of such significance to Africa and South Africa," Mbeki said in a statement.
"He was closely associated with the continent's struggles to end poverty and underdevelopment and will be remembered as a true friend of our democracy and freedom," he said.
Mbeki said the patriarch, who spent several years living in South Africa, "showed admiration for our transition to democracy (in 1994) and a firm grasp of relevant issues such as... Africa's renewal."
South Africa has a substantial Greek community, who have made their mark largely in the country's commerce sector.
Peter VII, 55, was second in line in the Orthodox Church hierarchy after ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul.