His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and Russia congratulated His Beatitude Metropolitan Rostislav of the Czech Lands and Slovakia on the anniversary of his enthronement.
His Beatitude Rostislav
Archbishop of Peć
Metropolitan of the Czech Lands and Slovakia
Your Beatitude,
Beloved in the Lord Brother and Concelebrant at God’s Altar:
Please accept my cordial greetings with the 5th anniversary of your elevation to the Throne of Their Beatitudes Metropolitans of the Czech Lands and Slovakia.
By performing your lofty Primatial ministry you strive to reveal to the people of God an evangelic image of good shepherd and wise and caring father who instructs his children in “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (1 Tim 6:11).
The Lord ordained that you continue the labours of the Holy Brothers Methodius and Cyril, Equal-to-the-Apostles, preserve and multiply the Orthodox spiritual heritage in the Czech lands and Slovakia, and preach Christ “that the word of the Lord may speed on and triumph” (2 Th 3:1).
Your firm and consistent position aimed at defending the sacred canons of the Church and preserving the unity of the universal Orthodoxy commands particular respect.
On this memorable day I prayerfully wish Your Beatitude good health, spiritual peace and God’s almighty help in your further Primatial ministry.
With brotherly love in the Lord,
+KIRILL
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA