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His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia greeted His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine on his Name Day.

To: His Beatitude Onufry, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine

Your Beatitude, beloved in the Lord Vladyka!

I wholeheartedly congratulate you on the commemoration day of St. Onufry the Great, your heavenly patron.

Being inspired by the ascetic life of this saint of God, you always strive to assert yourself in virtues, to perform your ministry with diligence, devotion, humility and hope for the help of our Chief Shepherd Christ the Saviour.

By the will of the Holy Spirit and conciliar election, a responsible ministry was entrusted to you in 2014 – to take the helm of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the difficult period of its history. It is gratifying to note that while performing your primatial ministry at the ancient chair of Kievan metropolitans, you are bringing witness about the intransient religious and moral values of Orthodoxy, the power of the life-creative Gospel and the all-conquering God’s grace not only by your words of archpastor, but also by the example of your own life.

Despite many difficulties and trials which the Ukrainian Church is undergoing, you continue to spiritually unite archpastors, priests, monks, nuns and laypersons entrusted to your care, raise your voice in defense of canonical standards, and call people to the life according to God’s truth, to the cessation of hatred and confrontation, to loving-kindness and compassion, brotherly love and peace.

I prayerfully wish Your Beatitude strength, courage and success in your work that you are doing with zeal to the glory of God and for the good of the Holy Church.

May the All-Bountiful Lord keep you in good health for many years.

With love in Christ,

+KIRILL

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA