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PRIMATES OF LOCAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES CONGRATULATE METROPOLITAN VLADIMIR OF KIEV AND ALL UKRAINE ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS MINISTRY ON THE SEE OF KIEV

His Beatitude Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine, marked the 10th anniversary of his election to the See of Kiev and the 40th anniversary of his priestly and episcopal service. On this occasion he received congratulatory messages from His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomaios of Constantinople, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia, His Holiness Patriarch Peter of Alexandria and All Africa, His Holiness Patriarch Paul of Serbia, His Beatitude Patriarch Teoctist of Romania, His Holiness Patriarch Maxim of Bulgaria, His Beatitude Metropolitan Savva of Warsaw and All Poland, and His Beatitude Metropolitan Theodosius of All America and Canada.

Congratulating Metropolitan Vladimir, Patriarch Bartholomaios of Constantinople writes, “We wholeheartedly rejoice together with you and wish that your ministry may be carried out in good health and peace for many years and be fruitful for the benefit of the Christ-loving flock and for the glory of God”.

Patriarch Peter of Alexandria and All Africa addressed these words to Metropolitan Vladimir: “Aware that Your Beatitude celebrate the 10th anniversary of your Primatial ministry on the holy see of the Kievan Metropolitanate, we share the joy of this great event and wholeheartedly wish that the All-Merciful Lord may strengthen you and your efforts so that your honorable ministry of our Holy Orthodox Church and the blessed Ukrainian people may continue much longer. We send a fraternal embrace and remain with festive wishes and great love”.

Patriarch Paul of Serbia writes in his message: “Dear Brother in Christ! On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of your primatial ministry and the jubilee of your episcopal consecration, we send you brotherly congratulations and wishes of further fruitful work for the benefit and spiritual revival of the clergy entrusted to your care, the faithful and entire Orthodoxy”.

Patriarch Teoctist of Romania writes: “Your Beatitude, beloved Brother in Christ! With brotherly love we congratulate you on the 10th anniversary of your enthronement as Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine and express our sincerest brotherly feelings and wishes of service for the benefit of the clergy and faithful entrusted to your pastoral care. Thus we fulfill the commandment of St. Paul who writes, ‘Love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honour’ (Rom. 12:10). Guided by the spirit of time-honoured brotherly relations between our Churches, which were united by the patronage of such renowned pastors of the Church as Metropolitan Peter Mogila, we hope that we personally and the entire episcopate of our Church will make our own contribution to their further deepening and development. We remain with brotherly love and wishes of many years of service for our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Church”.

The congratulatory message from Patriarch Maxim of Bulgaria says, “Your Beatitude, our invariable Brother in the Lord and Concelebrant! With joy in the Lord, our invariable Benefactor, and on behalf of the Holy Synod, we cordially offer you our brotherly congratulations on the 10th anniversary of your blessed archpastoral ministry as Metropolitan of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine. We prayerfully wish you good health, vivacious health and new successes in your archpastoral work for the benefit of the Church and the unity of Holy Orthodoxy. Many years of life to you, Your Beatitude!”

Metropolitan Savva of Warsaw and All Poland sent to Metropolitan Vladimir this message: “On the day of the 10th anniversary of your enthronement as Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine, kindly accept most cordial greetings with wishes of abundant blessings from the Most High Lord for further primatial ministry of Your Beatitude in good health and well-being for the benefit of the Holy Orthodox Church”.

The message from Metropolitan Theodosius of All America and Canada reads: “Your Beatitude, dear Brother and Concelebrant! With brotherly feelings I congratulate you on this joyful 10th anniversary of the enthronement of Your Beatitude as Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine. Your Beatitude’s ardent concern for the flock entrusted to your care is a good example of archpastoral ministry, which is often combined with carrying the cross, but also perceived as a blessing sent by the Good Pastor Himself. On this memorable day, I would like to convey sincere congratulations and heartfelt wishes from the Holy Synod of the Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America. Kindly accept also my personal best regards and assurance of my continued prayerful support. May the Lord continue to bless and protect you and give you more years to serve His Holy Church.”