HIS BEATITUDE TIKHON
ARCHBISHOP OF WASHINGTON
METROPOLITAN OF ALL AMERICA AND CANADA

Your Beatitude,
Beloved Brother and Concelebrant at God’s Altar,

On behalf of the plenitude of the Russian Orthodox Church and on my behalf I wholeheartedly greet you on this year’s anniversary of your enthronement.

By His wise providence, the Lord called you to the lofty Primatial service for the edifying of the body of Christ (Eph 4:12) on the continent of North America, ranking you among the continuators of the work of your heavenly patron – Saint Tikhon the Patriarch of All Russia. Imitating him in your missionary ardor and zeal in preaching the Gospel, you have shown yourself to be a good worker in the vineyard of Christ. Sowing sparingly, you also reap sparingly (cf. 2 Cor 9:6), edifying your flock in the living faith working through love (Gal 5:6).

May our Lord, rich in mercies, give you strength in body and spirit, as well as spiritual joy and unceasing help in your further Primatial ministry for the good of the Orthodox Church in America.

With brotherly love in Christ,

+KIRILL
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA