Congratulations of Metropolitan Pavel of Manila and Hanoi to the eldest priest of the Diocese on his 30 years anniversary of priesthood.
Your High Reverence, dear Father Philemon!
On this significant day, please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the 30th anniversary of your priestly ordination!
From your youth, you “choosing the good part”¹ dedicated your life to the highest purpose of man – serving the Creator. Long before the appearance of the canonical Orthodox Church in the Philippines, you sought ways to best please our Beloved God. Wanting to know Him more, you graduated from several theological schools and worked in His field “from the first hour”², having built the first Orthodox church in the Philippines in your homeland. When the Lord was pleased to bring the Orthodox Church to the “Pearl of the Occident”³, you truly “labored more than many others”⁴ in the apostolic service, founding 16 missions and building a remarkable church for His Most Pure Mother in the national Capital.
I would like to especially note your love for the Russian Orthodox Church, whose cleric you have deigned to become, and which you have been sincerely serving for several years, devoting your entire strength and experience. May the Lord bless your diligent efforts to enlighten His flock, for whose sake you, following His example, do not spare even yourself.
With all my heart I wish you good health and many years of fruitful work in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory forever!
With love in Christ,
PAVEL,
Metropolitan of Manila and Hanoi
¹ Luke 10:42
² Matthew, chapter 20
³ Philippines Anthem
⁴ 1 Corinthians, 15:10
