The Head of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District congratulated His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ on the 50th anniversary of his episcopal consecration

On 14 March 1976, on the First Sunday of Great Lent, the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, during the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in the city on the Neva, the episcopal consecration of Archimandrite Kirill (Gundyaev), rector of the Leningrad Theological Academy and Seminary – the future Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ – took place. The service was presided over by the ever-memorable Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov), whom His Holiness Patriarch Kirill calls his spiritual mentor and teacher.

On the occasion of the anniversary date, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan sent a congratulatory address to the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church:

Your Holiness, Most Holy Master!

Kindly accept my heartfelt congratulations on the significant date – the 50th anniversary of Your episcopal consecration!

On this day five decades ago, in the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in the city on the Neva, Your personal Pentecost took place – from the hands of the assembly of archpastors headed by the ever-memorable Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov) You received the grace of the episcopate.

For half a century You have preached to people the wisdom of God, secret and hidden, which God ordained before the ages for our glory (1 Cor. 2:7). By Your fervent prayer and fatherly word You protect the Orthodox flock from misfortunes and temptations, comfort the sorrowful and reconcile those who are in enmity.

Being the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, You selflessly carry out the lofty Patriarchal ministry, care for the spiritual and moral upbringing of the flock and lovingly guide them along the salvific path of the Gospel commandments.

On this special day Your Kazakhstan flock with one mouth and one heart raises fervent prayers to the Lord that “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:1) may strengthen You for many years to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God that has come with power (Mk. 9:1).

Through the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, by the protection of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Kazakhstan, may the All-Merciful Lord grant You His all-strengthening help in bearing the laborious and responsible Primatial ministry for the good of the Russian Orthodox Church.