NEW YORK: 23 September 2022
Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York sends greetings to St. Xenia of Petersburg Parish in Kanata on its feast day

To Archpriest Oleg Mironov and his Pious Family,
the Parishioners and Worshipers of Blessed Xenia of Petersburg Parish in Kanata

Honorable Father Oleg, Beloved in the Lord Brothers and Sisters!

I send my heartfelt greetings to you on the day of commemoration of the heavenly patroness of your magnificent church in honor of Blessed Xenia of Petersburg!

Rejoicing in the glorification of this marvelous ascetic, proclaimed by the Russian Church Outside of Russia 44 years ago, I am comforted by the mercy of God, expressed in your return to the salvific bosom of the Canadian Diocese of our Church, and I raise up prayers for all of you, wishing you a joyful and blessed parish feast.

The life of St Xenia of Petersburg reminds us that if a person strives for God according to his strength and with patience, with hope in Him and with prayer bearing his lifelong cross, then he is spiritually more perfect than one who grumbles and despairs, forgetting to raise up thanks for anything without wish to see in all things the Right Hand of the Most High. The latter is unlikely to rise from the earth, while the former quickly ascends to God.

May the Lord fill our hearts with joy in that Blessed Xenia calls us to repentance, good deeds, humble gratitude, love for our neighbour and unity! She prays for us and gathers us together, instilling in us joy in the Resurrected Christ, that we might teach others to be joyful in the Lord, "and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

Asking for your holy prayers, with love I call upon the blessing of God on all of you!

Yours in Christ,

+ NICHOLAS
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierach of the Russian Church Outside of Russia