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His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulated Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh on the occasion of his 55th birthday.

To His Eminence the Most Reverend ELISEY, Archbishop of Sourozh

Your Eminence!

Please accept my warm congratulations on this significant date in your life – your 55^th birthday.

In the years that have passed the Lord has entrusted you with many responsible obediences. You have borne the burden of serving at the Russian Spiritual Mission in the Holy Land, as well as labouring in the Department for External Affairs.  ‘Endeavouring to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, (2 Tim., 2, 15) in every place where you were sent by the all-wise Divine Providence, you obtained favour in the eyes of the Creator, Who entrusted you with the pastoral care of Christ’s rational flock in the Diocese of Sourozh.

In the course of your extensive and demanding episcopal service you strive to witness to the beauty and truth of Orthodoxy in the lands of Britain and Ireland, taking care that ‘the word of God should grow and multiply’  (Acts 12, 24).

I prayerfully wish you good health, peace and help from Jesus, the Chief Shepherd, in your continuing Episcopal service.

With love in the Lord,

+ KIRILL

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia