MOSCOW: June 4, 2011
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulates Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada on his 50th birthday

To His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada

Your Eminence:

I send my earnest greetings on your 50th birthday.

Over the years of your zealous service to the benefit of the Church of Christ, you, by God’s mercy, were given to fulfill many obediences, serving as an example of meek and humble execution of the will of the Lord and the decisions of your Hierarchy. Having been educated in the finest tradition of Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, you devoted a significant part of your life to teaching in this renowned educational establishment.

By the most-wise Divine Providence of the Master of the world, you quickly became a successor of the Apostles, “a good steward of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). You now rule the Montreal and Canadian Diocese, witnessing the truth and beauty of the Orthodox faith, “warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Colossians 1:28).

In recognition of your earnest labors and to mark your 50th birthday, I deem it proper to award you with the Medal of St Sergius of Radonezh of the Second Order.

Through the prayerful intercession of the Queen of Heaven, may the All-Merciful Savior preserve you in good health and boldness of spirit for many good years, granting you strength to carry out your archpastoral service.

With love in the Lord,

+KIRILL
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia