« Bishop Matthew of Sourozh sent a congratulation to Archbishop Anatoly (Kuznetsov) on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his bishop’s ordination »

On September 3, 2022, Archbishop Anatoly (Kuznetsov) celebrates the 50th anniversary of his bishop ordination.

His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States and Canada, on behalf of the clergy, monks and laity, congratulated Vladyka Anatoly on his anniversary celebration.

In his congratulatory address, Vladyka Matthew, referring to the jubilant, said in particular that "On this memorable day, we will rejoice at your biblical anniversary and prayerfully wish you, dear Vladyka, solid mental and bodily strength and the plentiful blessing from God." 

Archbishop Anatoly (Kuznetsov Evgeny Vlasovich) was born on May 28, 1930 in Irkutsk. 

Since 1947 - he was a psalmist in the churches of the Irkutsk diocese, since 1949 -  subdeacon of Bishop of Irkutsk Palladium (Sherstennikov). 

In 1949-1956 he studied at the Moscow Theological Seminary. 

On October 31, 1954, he was ordained a deacon, on July 1, 1956, a priest. 

In 1960 he graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy with a MA degree in theology and remained in the MDA  as a professorial scholarship holder. 

On October 11, 1960 he was tonsured a monk, in 1963 he was elevated to the rank of abbot, in 1968 - to the rank of archimandrite. 

Since 1960 he taught the Holy Scriptures at the IBS, since 1967 - at the Moscow Theological Academy. 

He participated in the Bible Commission of the Publishing Department of the Moscow Patriarchate. 

On September 3, 1972 he was consecrated bishop of Vilnius and Lithuania. Since September 3, 1974 - Bishop of Zvenigorod, representative of the Patriarch of Moscow under the Patriarch of Antioch and the entire East.

Since November 16, 1979 - Bishop of Ufa and Sterlitamak.

On July 20, 1990, Bishop Anatoly (Kuznetsov), at the request of Metropolitan Anthony ( Bloom) of Surozh, was appointed Bishop of Kerch, vicar of the Sourozh diocese. His archpastoral care covered Russian-speaking parishioners, the place of service of Vladyka Anatoly was the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God in London. In the parish school, Vladyka conducted the lessons of the Law of God, gave lectures on Sundays, organized “Russian talks” for Russian-speaking parishioners on Thursdays, and attended patients in hospitals. 

On February 25, 1993 he was elevated to the rank of Archbishop. In 1994, he was appointed to provide pastoral mnistry in the Pokrovsky parish in Manchester, where, by the beginning of the 1990s, community and the old church were in distress Not only Vladyka Anatoly restored the church life in the community, but he also organized the construction of a new church. 

On April 5, 1995, he was elected an honorary corresponding member of the British branch of the International Slavic Academy of Science and Culture.

On December 27, 2001, he retired on his own request with a mission to continue the construction of the Russian Orthodox Pokrovsky Church in Manchester and to provide pastoral ministratin to this parish. 

On July 17, 2002, he was again appointed Archbishop of Kerch, vicar of the Sourozh diocese, and Rector of the Pokrovsky stavropegial parish in Manchester. 

On November 9, 2010, he was relieved of his position as Rector of the Manchester Pokrovsky Church, with the right to continue the ministry in this parish, and with the gratitude for his efforts in the construction of the church and the formation of the parish. 

On May 4, 2017, he retired for health reasons, with an expression of gratitude for his efforts in organising church life in various dioceses entrusted to his ministry, and for his other church obediences, as well as for his many years of ministry as a vicar of the Sourozh diocese.