NEW YORK: August 16, 2019
Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York congratulates His Beatitude Metropolitan Onouphry of Kiev and All Ukraine on the fifth anniversary of his enthronement

August 17, 2019

To His Beatitude Metropolitan Onouphry
of Kiev and All Ukraine

Your Beatitude, Blessed Vladyka!

In oneness of faith and unity in love I congratulate you on the fifth anniversary of your elevation upon the glorious throne of the Kiev metropolitans, and, together with you praising the coming Transfiguration of the Lord and the Dormition of the Most-Blessed Mother of God, “Who in falling asleep did not forsake the world,” I pray that They renew Your Beatitude’s life and strength, and with increasing success may the Chief Pastor-Christ help continue your dissemination of His glory and the salvation of souls. With fervent empathy and gratitude, we note your pains and labors, as a confessor you strive in persistence and earnestness in calling for peace, brotherly love, mutual respect and patience, humility and devotion to the Church of Christ, firmly believing that they will lead to the triumph of truth and peace among all Orthodox Christians and all the people, and that the many militant speeches and derision and “hearing of wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6) cease, and that Divine Will shall be shown to the world.

Beseeching your holy prayers, I remain with love in the Lord,

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