MOSCOW: June 5, 2009
The Primate of the Russian Church Abroad Congratulates the Prior and Brethren of Sretensky Monastery

To His Reverence Archimandrite Tikhon,
Prior of Sretensky Stavropighial Men’s Monastery in Moscow

Your Reverence, dear in the Lord Fr Tikhon:

I send my heartfelt greetings to you and to all the Brothers in Christ of Sretensky Monastery on the 15th anniversary of the rebirth of monastic life within its walls, and I congratulate the teachers and students of Sretensky Seminary on this, their 10th anniversary. I prayerfully wish all of you many mercies and blessings from God in serving the Lord and His image, which is reflected in our neighbors.

I express great thanks to you, dear Fr Tikhon, for your labors both in Russia and outside her borders. The Russian Orthodox Church Abroad sees in you a person who loves her, loves her history and legacy, and understands her spirit; in you we see a person who always tends to the work of Russian Orthodoxy. For this you have earned our profound respect and trust among our Church’s bishops, clergy and flock.

Highly esteeming your contribution to the work of reestablishing canonical communion within the Local Russian Orthodox Church, I call upon you and all of your fellow podvizhniki God’s blessing.

With love in the Lord,

+Hilarion
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia