WESTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE: 15 February 2023
Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America congratulates Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York on his namesday

To His Eminence Nicholas
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York,
First Hierarch of the
Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

Your Eminence,
Dear in the Lord Vladyka:

On my own behalf and on behalf of all the clergy and flock of the Western American Diocese entrusted to me, I express congratulations with all my soul to you, Your Eminence, on the feast day of your patron saint, Holy Hierarch Nicholas of Japan, Equal-to-the-Apostles. This is the first celebration of your saint since election and enthronement as Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. By Divine mercy, we and the entire Russian Orthodox Church Abroad are now under you spiritual guidance, and express our filial devotion to your service to God and mankind in your new position, as you follow the glorious path of your predecessors as First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, and follow the example of your heavenly patron, St Nicholas, Illuminator of Japan.

We constantly pray for Your Eminence and your entire God-preserved flock, and ask the All-Merciful Lord to strengthen you physically and spiritually, sending down upon you His abundant mercies for many blessed years.

Asking your holy Primatial prayers,

Your Eminence’s unworthy brother in Christ,

+ ARCHBISHOP KIRILL