NEW YORK: August 14, 2017
Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York Sends Congratulations on the Honoring of Abbess Moisseia (Bubnova) on the Mt of Olives

July 31/August 13, 2017

To Abbess Moisseia (Bubnova)
Your Reverence, Dear in the Lord Mother Moisseia:

It is with heartfelt joy that I congratulate you on behalf of the members of the Synod of Bishops, and from myself personally, with this lofty award: the right to wear a second ornamented cross.

We regard highly your devotion to and love for the Russian Church Abroad, the invaluable assistance expressed in your many years of fervent service as the abbess of Ascension of the Lord Convent on the Mt of Olives, and as the close aid of the Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem. We are thankful for your exceptional efforts in a difficult period in the life of our Church. I especially wish to recognize your Christian wisdom, experience and effectiveness which contributed for many years to the work of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission. Мetropolitan Laurus of blessed memory, who was consecrated to the episcopacy 50 years ago today, would often speak about your accomplishments.

We know, as Apostle Paul says, that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). The Russian Church Abroad, along with countless pilgrims visiting the Holy Land from all corners of our Fatherland and the Russian diaspora have been greatly inspired by the completion of renovations of the Bell Tower on the Mt of Olives. In this we see the bestowal of blessings by God as a reward for your podvig of prayerful service before the holy relics and icons of Ascension of the Lord Convent, and bears testimony to your tireless efforts for the good of the nuns and worshipers entrusted to you.

I prayerfully join in today’s celebration, and wish you many years, spiritual and physical strength, heavenly aid and many mercies and blessings from God!

With love in the Lord,

+HILARION,
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York,
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.