Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, congratulates the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Outside of Russia

To: His Eminence LAURUS

Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York

First Hierarch

of the Russian Church Outside of Russia

Your Eminence,

I wholeheartedly congratulate you on the 75th anniversary of the Holy Trinity Monastery

This holy Monastery has become a centre of Orthodox spirituality for many exiles who wanted to live a peaceful and tranquil life here. For decades the monastery has been a refuge for those who bore the cross of exodus far away from Russia. The nostalgia of people who had to fly from their Fatherland was consoled here.

This holy monastery played an important part in the Orthodox mission in Americas. Like St. Job of Pochaev, who was a staunch fighter for the truth of the teaching of Christ and defended it in the face of the non-Orthodox, the Holy Trinity monastery has been a stronghold of the Orthodox faith outside of Russia.

I pray the All-Good Lord to grant His help to Your Eminence in your work for the good of Holy Orthodoxy, strong spirit in monastic life to the brethren and His abundant mercies to all your flock saved-by-God.

Metropolitan KIRILL of Smolensk and Kaliningrad

Chairman

Department for External Church Relations

Moscow Patriarchate

To: His Eminence LAURUS

Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York

First Hierarch

of the Russian Church Outside of Russia

Your Eminence,

Please accept my cordial greetings with your Nameday.

On the day of your heavenly patron, the holy martyr Laurus, we offer up our prayers to the All-Gracious Lord to grant you His help in your work, spiritual and bodily strength, peace, prosperity and many years.

With love in the Lord,

Metropolitan KIRILL of Smolensk and Kaliningrad

Chairman

Department for External Church Relations

Moscow Patriarchate