KURSK: January 6, 2015
Metropolitan German of Kursk and Rylsk Sends Birthday Congratulations to the Primate of the Russian Church Abroad

From the Editors: Below is a birthday greeting sent to His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia:

To His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York,
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia Your Eminence,
Dear and Greatly-Esteemed Vladyka First Hierarch:
I cordially congratulate you on this Nativity Eve and your birthday!

Please accept my prayerful wishes for good health, spiritual and physical strength and Divine aid in your continuing service to the Holy Church of Christ!

I thank you for the letter in which you gladdened me and my entire flock of Kursk by reporting the decision of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia to bring the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" in 2015 to our diocese, the site of the icon’s historic discovery. And we hope for the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia for the miracle-working icon to be brought to our lands. We will lovingly and joyously welcome this holy icon and the delegation of the Russian Church Abroad accompanying it, headed by His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan.

May the All-Merciful Lord, through the intercession of the Queen of Heaven, strengthen your powers to serve Him in health and peace for many more good years! Again I congratulate you with the coming bright feast day, a joyful and salvific holiday, the Nativity of Christ, and the New Year of His grace!

With profound respect and love in the Born Christ,

+German,
Metropolitan of Kursk and Rylsk.