To His Holiness, KIRILL, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’
Your Holiness, Holy Master and Gracious Father!
Christ is Risen!
With these life-affirming words of the Paschal good news, allow us to greet you cordially and congratulate you on the feast of the holy Equals-to-the-Apostles brothers Cyril and Methodius, and on the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture, when you celebrate your name day.
We greet this feast in difficult circumstances: we are unable to celebrate a concelebrated service with a great gathering of people; we cannot come together to glorify at the church and state level the podvig of the enlighteners and teachers of the Slavs. But all of us, your humble novices and co-workers, archpastors, pastors, monastics and laity, moved by love and filial gratitude, now, on your name day, offer fervent prayers to the Lord that He may grant you good health, unfailing strength and generous help from God in the laborious and responsible Patriarchal ministry you carry out.
We know how your heart aches because many people are now deprived of the opportunity to attend church and participate in the Sacraments of the Church; we know how your soul grieves over the daily news of new illnesses and deaths; we know how difficult it is for you, as Primate, in the present conditions, to give up many previously planned services, pastoral trips, events and meetings.
At the same time, we see how by your unremitting care, daily diligent prayers, instructions and directives the ship of the Church is now being steered, and therefore we do not doubt that the pestilence will subside, the waves of the sea of life will calm, and by the mercy of God we will emerge from these trials strengthened. We believe it will be so, for the Russian Church, led by you, not only prays tirelessly for deliverance from the epidemic but, in cooperation with benefactors and volunteers, makes considerable efforts to help doctors and medical workers and to help the sick overcome this affliction.
We all remember the words you spoke in your Message on the 3rd Sunday of Pascha: “My dear ones, I understand very well how hard it is for you now. I deeply sympathize with all of you. Believe me, you are not alone; the Patriarch is with you. All my thoughts and prayers are about you. Every day I pray to God for mercy, that this difficult trial may pass from our people as soon as possible, that we may once again be united with you in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, with one mouth and one heart glorifying the Lord.” Truly these words, expressing the feelings of a loving father for his children, comfort, strengthen and support.
Inspired by your example of complete trust in God’s Providence, firm faith and unshakable hope, fortitude of spirit and personal courage, we strive, to the extent of our abilities and opportunities, to assist you in fulfilling the primatial obedience entrusted to you by God, and to make our modest contribution to the common work of the Church’s witness to Christ Crucified and Risen and to the inexhaustible wealth of spiritual treasures bequeathed to us by the holy Equals-to-the-Apostles brothers Cyril and Methodius.
Through their prayers may the Lord preserve you from all misfortunes and adversities and assist you in your primatial labors, diligently carried out for the glory of His Most Holy Name and for the benefit of the whole fullness of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Many years to you, Your Holiness.
With respectful love in Christ
Members of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church