Congratulations to His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’, on the 50th anniversary of his episcopal consecration
HIS HOLINESS,
HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL Rus’
Kirill.
YOUR HOLINESS, MOST HOLY LORD AND
GRACEFUL FATHER!
On this special and memorable day, please accept, on behalf of the clergy and flock of the Khanty-Mansiysk Metropolitanate and the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese entrusted to my care, sincere congratulations and heartfelt best wishes on the 50th anniversary of your episcopal consecration.
You began your service to God and people at a time when the Russian Orthodox Church was carrying out its saving mission in difficult historical circumstances. But the Lord gave you wisdom, courage, and strength to worthily follow the difficult path of serving the Church.
Your entire life is a remarkable example of faithfulness to God and the Church, fortitude, courageous standing for the Orthodox faith, and a convincing testimony to the all-conquering love of Christ, so visibly manifested in all your sacrificial service to the Church.
Today, you are the spiritual leader whose words are matched by concrete actions. During your half-century of episcopal service throughout the Orthodox world, you have become known as a zealous church hierarch, a brilliant preacher, and a theologian, combining these qualities with profound personal piety. Everything you have accomplished during your half-century of service to the Church in the highest hierarchical rank is truly astounding.
Your Holiness! On this festive day, we thank the Lord for blessing you to celebrate the 50th anniversary of your episcopacy.
We prayerfully wish you abundant mercies from God, health, prosperity, and the spiritual and physical strength so essential in your Primate’s service to the Holy Orthodox Church and your Fatherland.
Through the intercession of the Queen of Heaven, may the Lord preserve you for many blessed years!
With filial love,
a humble novice of Your Holiness,
Pavel
METROPOLITAN OF KHANTY-MANSIYSK AND SURGUТ,
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE PHILIPPINE-VIETNAMESE DIOCESE
