Your Grace, dear Vladyka and loving father!
On behalf of the clergy, monastics, and laity of the Diocese of Sourozh and the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, we sincerely congratulate you on this significant day in your life!
Your diligent pastoral labours, gentle love for people, and spiritual gifts have been justly recognised by the hierarchy of the Church and received by the Lord Himself, Who called you to the high degree of apostolic ministry – “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (John 15:16), granting you ten years ago the Gift of your personal Pentecost.
On that day you received the Divine Grace of apostolic service, just as once did the disciples of Christ, whom, according to St. Symeon of Thessalonica (†1429), “the Holy Spirit, descending from heaven, ordained as the first successors of the Savior’s authority and revealed them as co-seated with Christ.” Дух Святой, нисшедший с неба, хиротонисал первых преемников власти Спасителевой и показал их сопрестольными Христу.
You began your archpastoral labors in the Metropolis of Ryazan; later, His Holiness the Patriarch and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church entrusted you with the responsible care of the flock of Christ in Western Europe. And today, you humbly, zealously, and lovingly bear the difficult cross of episcopal service, bearing witness to the truth of Orthodoxy, building up diocesan and parish life, and showing fatherly concern for the salvation of human souls – for the good of the Church of Christ and the people of God not only in the Old World but also in the New – within the Diocese of Sourozh and the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada.
Your Grace, on this memorable day we, as your spiritual children, wish you the strengthening help of Christ, the Chief Shepherd, as well as strength and spiritual creativity on the blessed path of your episcopal ministry! Please accept, dear Vladyka, our heartfelt prayers for good health, long life, peace, and well-being!
Many and blessed years to you!
The clergy, monastics, and laity of the Diocese of Sourozh and the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada
Dormition Cathedral in London
November 15, 2025