« Birthday congratulations to Archbishop Anatoly (Kuznetsov) »

On May 28, 2021, Archbishop Anatoly (Kuznetsov), one of the oldest bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church, celebrated his 91st birthday.

On this festive day, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, on behalf of the clergy and laity of the Sourozh diocese, sent a congratulatory letter and a bouquet of white roses for Vladyka Anatoly, in gratitude for the many years of his archpastoral ministry on the British Isles.

On July 20, 1990, Bishop Anatoly (Kuznetsov), at the request of Metropolitan Anthony (Bloom) of Sourozh, was appointed Bishop of Kerch, vicar of the Sourozh diocese.

Russian-speaking parishioners became subject of Vladyka Anatoly'sarchpastoral care, the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God in London being the place of his service.  Vladyka taught the Law of God at the parish school, gave lectures on Sundays, organized "Russian talks" for Russian-speaking parishioners on Thursdays, and visited the sick.

On February 25, 1993, he was elevated to the rank of Archbishop.

In 1994, he was appointed to provide pastoral care in the Intercession parish in Manchester, where, by the beginning of the 1990s, the community and the dilapidated church were in a very difficult situation. Not only Vladyka Anatoly restored the church life in the community, but he also organised the construction of a new church.

On April 5, 1995, he was elected Honorary corresponding member of the British branch of the International Slavic Academy of Science and Culture.

On December 27, 2001, he retired at his own request with the instruction to continue the construction of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Intercession in Manchester and to provide pastoral care for this parish.

On July 17, 2002, he was re-appointed as Archbishop of Kerch, vicar of the Sourozh diocese, and Rector of the Intercession stavropegical parish in Manchester.

On November 9, 2010, he was relieved of his position as Rector of the Manchester Intercession Church, with  the right to serve, without restrictions, in this parish, and with an expression of gratitude for his efforts in the construction of the church and the establishment of the parish.

On May 4, 2017, he was retired for health reasons, with the expression of gratitude for his work on the organization of church life in various dioceses entrusted to his administration, in other church obediences, as well as for many years of ministry as a vicar of the Sourozh diocese.