Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk congratulates Primate of the Orthodox Church in America on his Nameday

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, sent the following greeting to His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of All America and Canada with the commemoration day of his heavenly patron:

His Beatitude Tikhon

Archbishop of Washington

Metropolitan of All America and Canada

Your Beatitude,

Please accept my heartfelt greetings with your Name Day.

Imitating in faith and deeds your heavenly patron, St. Tikhon the Patriarch of All Russia, and choosing his apostolic labours in America as an example in your “work of an evangelist” (2 Tim 4:5) on the continent of North America, you perform your ministry with zeal and meekness, giving your life (cf. Jn 10:11) for the faithful children of the Church of Christ.

I prayerfully wish Your Beatitude mercies and help from God in your Primatial labours aimed at strengthening the Orthodox Church in America. May the All-Generous Creator give you spiritual and bodily strength for continuing your fruitful service in His vineyard and grant unto you His bountiful help in bearing heroic witness to the Gospel.

With respectful love in the Lord,

+Hilarion Metropolitan of Volokolamsk Chairman Department for External Church Relations Moscow Patriarchate