MOSCOW: July 13, 2016
Patriarchal Congratulations to Archbishop Michael of Geneva and Western Europe on the 20th Anniversary of His Consecration

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sent congratulations on the 20th anniversary of the episcopal consecration of His Eminence Archbishop Michael of Geneva and Western Europe of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia:

To Your Eminence Archbishop Michael of Geneva and Western Europe:

On this, the feast day of Holy First Apostles Peter and Paul, I send my heartfelt greetings to you on the 20th anniversary of your episcopal consecration.

Since your childhood, you were reared in Holy Orthodoxy by your parents. Your life has been inseparably bound to the Church of God, where you came to love prayer and divine services, and where so many of the talents the Lord bestowed you with were revealed.

As the years went on, the Lord summoned you to the priesthood, then bestowed upon you the episcopal stole, so that you would be “a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Over ten years have passed since you were entrusted with the Diocese of Geneva and Western Europe. It is a joy to see that you continue to make an investment in Christian witness to those near and far, and that you strive to serve God with earnestness, so that He may “add to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47).
I prayerfully wish you good health, the grace-filled increase in your spiritual strength and Divine aid in your future archpastoral service.
With love in Christ,

+KIRILL,
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA