MOSCOW: December 10, 2014
Patriarchal Congratulations to Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, on the 30th Anniversary of his Episcopal Consecration

To His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

Your Eminence, beloved in the Lord Vladyka:

I send my heartfelt greetings on the 30th anniversary of your episcopal consecration and prayerfully wish you strength and Divine aid in your further archpastoral labors.

Three decades ago, on the feast day of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign,” you were granted the grace of the Holy Spirit, Who made you a bishop. Since then even to this day you zealously perform your archpastoral service, tirelessly laboring over the creation and development of church communities, illuminating your contemporaries with the light of the Gospel truth, preaching good tidings of the Lord. This mission is especially important today, when social life is pushing out spiritual-moral values and Christian traditions. You devote special efforts so that the children of the One Russian Orthodox Church strive, in the words of the Savior, to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13-14), exhibiting genuine “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

I hope that with God’s help you continue to earnestly and lovingly, with hope and responsibility fulfill the many duties which the Chief Pastor Christ entrusted you with.

May through the intercession of the Queen of Heaven, the Lord preserve you in good health for many years.

With love in Christ,

+KIRILL,
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA

patriarchia.ru

 


Official website of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
© 2019 Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.
Republication or retransmission of materials must include the reference: "The Official Website of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia."
E-mail for technical information: englishwebmaster@russianorthodoxchurch.ws E-mail for content information: englishinfo@russianorthodoxchurch.ws