NEW YORK: December 17, 2014
Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York Thanks His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia

From the Editors: On Tuesday, December 16, 2014, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York sent a letter of gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia:

To Your Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia:

Your Holiness, Vladyko and Merciful Father!

I hereby humbly thank you for the kind words expressed by Your Holiness on the thirtieth anniversary of my unworthiness’ obedient service to the Church of Christ. I am very grateful for your fatherly care, your prayerful and moral support in my efforts to the benefit of our common Mother Church, the Russian Orthodox Church. I ask you to continue to pray for me and my flock, that the Lord strengthens us in the worthy fulfillment of His work in this vale of sorrows and grant us the Kingdom of Heaven.

From all my soul I wish you spiritual strength and heavenly aid in your labors to the glory of God and the good of His people!

With love in the Lord,

+ HILARION,
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York,
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.