NEW YORK: 8 December, 2022
First Hierarch of Russian Church Abroad sends Greeting to Primate of Ukrainian Orthodox Church on 32nd Anniversary of Hierarchal Consecration

 26 November/9 December 2022

To His Beatitude
ONOUPHRY
Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine

Your Beatitude Blessed Vladyka!

As we prepare to celebrate the "great joy" (Luke 2:10), I fraternally kiss Your Beatitude and send my most heartfelt greetings on the 32nd anniversary of your episcopal consecration, and offer my best wishes for your firm health, boldness of spirit, for your peace and calmness, as one who is revered throughout the entire Orthodox world.

It is with great concern and pain that we follow the events on the territory of Ukraine: the military conflict, the repression of true Orthodox Christians and the suffering of those who are “quiet in the land” (Psalms 35:20), that is, the common folk: my sinfulness, and all the archpastors, pastors, monastics and faithful children of the Russian Church Abroad who are with me, prayerfully extend to you a hand of support and love, laying all of our hopes in God, Who “spoke peace unto His people” (Psalms 85:8). May this Divine peace reign in the hearts of man and may they possess the “great peace who have they which love God’s law” (Psalms 119:165).

Prayerfully joining you, I earnestly wish Your Beatitude and the entire Ukrainian Orthodox Church which you lead Divine strength and all blessings.

Beseeching your holy prayers, I remain the devoted brother and concelebrator of Your Beatitude,

+NICHOLAS
Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia