XV Assembly of Clergy and Laity of the Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA, held on May 23–24, 2025, sent a greeting address to its Ruling Hierarch — His Holiness Patriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Rus’ — on the occasion of his Name Day.
***
To His Holiness, Patriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Rus’
Your Holiness, Most Reverend Master and Father!
Christ is Risen!
The Assembly of clergy and laity of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States of America — a gathering of faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church — extends heartfelt greetings to You, our Great Lord and Father, on the feast day of the Holy Equals-to-the-Apostles Teachers of the Slavs and on the occasion of Your Name Day.
This year, proclaimed by Your Holiness as the Year of Saint Tikhon, holds special significance for us — the heirs and continuers of his missionary labors in North America. Despite the trials of the past century since the repose in the Lord of Saint Patriarch Tikhon, the fruits of his salvific sowing remain to this day an inseparable heritage for all Orthodox Christians of North America.
The year 2025 is also marked by the 55th anniversary of the granting of the Tomos of Autocephaly by the Russian Orthodox Church to its North American Metropolia, as well as the establishment of a special union of parishes in the USA and Canada who chose to remain with the Mother Church and under the omophorion of their Patriarch. With gratitude and love, we remember all our glorious predecessors, through whose prayers and labors for the greater glory of Orthodoxy, church peace was restored — especially the first Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, the ever-memorable Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov). It is especially dear to us that it is You — his distinguished disciple and co-worker — whom the Lord has entrusted, in these momentous times, with leading the Russian Orthodox Church.
Your Holiness, Most Reverend Master and Father! We prayerfully wish You the unfailing help of God in Your exalted ministry as Primate, the intercession of Saint Tikhon and all the saints who have shone forth in the American land. In turn, we humbly ask for Your holy prayers and blessing, that for many years we may worthily continue our service under Your omophorion for the good of the Holy Mother Church in the United States of America.
Your Holiness’ humble servants, The temporarily appointed Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, The clergy and laity of the Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA
Church of the Three Holy Hierarchs, Garfield, New Jersey
May 24, 2025
