Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia congratulates Metropolitan Kornily of Tallinn and All Estonia on the 15th anniversary of his episcopal service

The Estonian Orthodox Church celebrated the 15^th anniversary of the Metropolitan Kornily’s episcopal service on September 15, 2005.

Festive divine services were conducted at the Church of St. Alexander Nevsky in Tallinn.

The primate of the Russian Orthodox Church sent to the metropolitan the following congratulatory message:

To: The Most Reverend Kornily

Metropolitan of Tallinn and All Estonia

Your Eminence, dear Vladyko,

On this auspicious day, I wholeheartedly congratulate you on the 15^th anniversary of your episcopal service.

Throughout these years, you have zealously fulfilled important obediences placed on you by the Holy Church. For a long time since the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate was granted autonomy in August 1992, you as its primate have faced a difficult task to take pastoral care of the faithful in a situation when Estonia worked to resume her statehood. In that difficult period, you proved to be a wise and responsible archpastor whose good example of commitment to the heavenly and earthly home is cherished by the clergy and laity of the Estonian Orthodox Church.

Rejoicing together with you on this remarkable day, I prayerfully wish that peace, joy and God’s blessing may always accompany you in your service for the welfare of the Estonian Orthodox church and your God-loving flock. May the Lord prolong your days and grant you strength so that your beneficial work may last for many good years!

With love in the Lord,

+ Alexy,

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia