MOSCOW: November 25, 2014
The Patriarch Congratulates Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America on His 60th Birthday

To Your Eminence, Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America:

Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your 60th birthday.

Since your childhood, having chosen the path of service to Christ, you fully devoted yourself to the Lord and His Holy Church. Having received the requisite theological education, you decisively dedicated yourself to Divine Providence and took your monastic vows. Beholding your earnestness and desire to serve Him in Spirit and Truth, God called you to the work of the Apostles.

More than two decades have passed since the archpastoral omophorion was bestowed upon you. All these years since you have humbly and meekness fulfilled the various archpastoral labors in the Diocese of San Francisco. Continuing the work of Archbishop Anthony of blessed memory, you attest to the beauty and truth of Orthodox Christianity and bear the light of the Gospel to the people of the North American continent.

In recognition of your devoted episcopal service and to mark your 60th birthday, I deem worthy to bestow upon you the gift of a panaghia.

I prayerfully wish you good health, the unfaltering joy in Christ Jesus and Divine help in your further labors to the glory of the Holy Trinity and the good of the Mother Church.
With love in the Lord,

+KIRILL,
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA