Patriarchal Congratulations to Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan on the 35th Anniversary of His Episcopal Consecration

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulated the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, on the 35th anniversary of his episcopal consecration:

Your Eminence!

I heartily congratulate you on this significant occasion—the 35th anniversary of your episcopal consecration.

On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, you were called to a high and responsible archpastoral ministry, requiring self-sacrifice and readiness to labor diligently, to preach the word, to reprove, to rebuke, to exhort with all longsuffering and teaching (2 Tim. 4:2).

It is gratifying to note that over the past 35 years, you, not lacking in diligence and fervent in spirit (Rom. 12:11), have sought to fulfill every obedience entrusted to you by the church authorities with love and zeal for the glory of God.

I would like to especially express my gratitude to you for your fruitful labors as the Head of the Metropolitan District of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Kazakhstan, for your contribution to the development of diocesan and parish life in the domain entrusted to your care, and for your unwavering desire to bear witness to the eternal truths of the Gospel to your contemporaries.

On this spiritually significant day for you, I prayerfully wish you strength, the abundant help of God, and success in your further labors for the benefit of the Church of Christ.

With love in the Lord,  

KIRILL, PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA