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To His Holiness,

The Most Holy Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'

Your Holiness, Most Holy Master and our gracious Father!

On this significant day, the 50th anniversary of your episcopal ordination, on behalf of the clergy, monastics, and laity of the Russian Orthodox Church in Great Britain, Ireland, the United States, Canada, and Mexico, we respectfully ask you to accept our heartfelt congratulations and prayerful best wishes.

The past decades of your archpastoral service have been a time of selfless labour for the good of the Holy Church.  Fulfilling the apostolic admonition to "shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising oversight over it, not by compulsion, but willingly, as God pleases" (1 Pet. 5:2), you consistently set an example of faithfulness to your ecclesiastical calling and zealous care for the spiritual life of the flock of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Your archpastoral ministry has been marked by many good fruits, testifying to the enduring spiritual values ​​of Orthodoxy, caring for the preservation of spiritual heritage, strengthening church life, affirming Christian unity and national cultural heritage, and many of the greatest gifts bestowed upon you by the Holy Spirit on the day of your personal Pentecost.

On this solemn day, allow me to prayerfully wish Your Holiness strength of soul and body, good health, peace of mind, joy in Christ, and God's generous help in your continued Primatial service for the benefit of the Holy Church for many blessed years.

Asking Your Primatial prayers and blessing,

Your Holiness's humble novice,

Matthew,

Bishop of Sourozh

March 14, 2026

London