His Holiness Patriarch Kirill congratulates Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York on the 35th anniversary of his ordained ministry
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulated the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York on the 35th anniversary of his ordained ministry. The text of the message is given below.
Your Eminence, beloved in the Lord Vladyka!
I wholeheartedly congratulate you on the remarkable date – the 35th anniversary of your ordained ministry, and prayerfully wish you strength and God’s help in your archpastoral labours.
At all times, Christians have been called to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth (cf. Mt 5:13-14). We, archpastors, pastors, monks and laymen of the One Russian Orthodox Church, while witnessing the Truth and proclaiming good news of the year of the Lord’s favour, should by word and deed and benevolent attitude to the neighbours maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3).
This is especially important at present, as Christian values, spiritual and moral traditions, and the age-old foundations are being ousted from public life. Our mission is to enlighten our contemporaries with the light of the Gospel, to build up church communities and increase their number, and to proclaim God’s Truth. It is gratifying to know that you are paying a particular attention to this salutary ministry of the Church.
I hope that in the following years you will with God’s help and with true zeal, love, hope and responsibility, do the hard work, to which the Chief Shepherd Jesus Christ has called you.
I deem it a pleasant duty to give you a panagia as a gift in connection with the celebrated date.
May the Lord keep you in good health for many and good years through the intercession of the Heavenly Queen, whose Presentation in the Temple the Holy Church celebrates today.
With love in Christ,
+ KIRILL
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia