Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan Congratulated His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ on His Birthday

On 20 November 2025, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, celebrates his 79th birthday. Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan extended his congratulations to His Holiness on this memorable occasion.

The congratulatory message states:

You have dedicated your entire life to the labors of Christ’s vineyard and to the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. In faith, courage, steadfastness and patience, you set an example of a good shepherd for all the children of the Russian Orthodox Church. Giving all your strength to the Patriarchal ministry, you confidently lead the flock entrusted to you by God along the path of salvation, instilling hope and reminding us of the Apostle Paul’s words, ‘that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor Principalities, nor Powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Rom. 8:38–39).

This year you visited Kazakhstan, and your visit gave new impetus to the work of strengthening the Orthodox faith in the country, inspiring bishops, pastors, monastics and the people of God to new endeavors for the spiritual renewal of human souls, for the good of the Holy Church.

On this festive day, I respectfully ask you, Your Holiness, to accept my wishes for strong health, peace and long life, and to continue for many years your high Primatial ministry for the good of the Church of Christ and the people of God.