Members of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church have sent His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia a congratulatory address on the occasion of his birthday.

The congratulation, in particular, says: "Your whole life from your youth to now is a vivid example of unfeigned devotion to the Lord and Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, firmness of faith, working with love (Gal. 5:6), and willingness to work without sparing your belly, showing the justice of the words that have repeatedly sounded from your Pontifical lips: "He who gave works, it will also give strength."

Inspired by the example of your blessed grandfather, the priest Basil, who in the era of atheistic persecution showed steadfastness in trials, coupled with firmness of spirit, and the pious life of your late parents, Archpriest Michael and Raisa, you strive in every word and deed to show yourself a diligent worker in the Vineyard of the Lord, so that the centuries—old vine of the Church of Christ would bear abundant fruit to the Lord during the good (Ps. 1:3). In this work, you are strengthened by the prayers of the saints of Moscow: Peter, Alexy, Jonah, Macarius, Philip, Job, Hermogenes, Tikhon and other saints of Christ glorified for centuries, whose continuation of the apostolic ministry the Holy and True Lord has judged you to be (Rev. 6:10).

The past year of your life has been overshadowed by many dramatic events by the indulgence of God and the malicious cunning of the enemy of the human race. However, despite all the opposing winds raised up in these difficult times, when the words of the Gospel come true: "people will rise against people and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be earthquakes in places, and there will be smoothness and confusion" (Mk. 13:8), the Lord protects you with His grace and will help you in steering the ship of the church. In these tragic circumstances, you, clothed in the full armor of God, stand against the wiles of the devil, (Eph. 6:11), having the care of hierarchs, clerics and a multitude of pastors, imitate the First-born Apostle Paul, who testified about himself: "In addition to extraneous adventures, I have a daily confluence of people, taking care of all the churches. Who is exhausted, with whom would I not be exhausted?" (2 Corinthians 11:28-29).

We, your humble co-workers, are deeply convinced that all archpastors, clerics, monastics and laity, while offering petitions to God for the health and well-being of Your Holiness, and thanking the Lord for the mercy shown through your confirmation on the throne of the Primates of Moscow, realize that there is not a single sphere of church life to which attention would not extend and the care of a wise and kind-hearted Primate. Edifying others in "what should be done in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and confirmation of the truth" (1 Tim. 3:15), you yourself serve as a model for all of us "in teaching, life, disposition, faith, generosity, love, patience" (2 Tim. 3:10)."

"On this memorable day, while offering fervent prayers for the health and salvation of Your Holiness, we humbly ask you to accept our sincere assurances of filial love and all-perfect reverence, which encourage us to continue to work tirelessly under your Primatial guidance for the benefit of Orthodoxy, so that all the children of the church "with one accord, with one mouth, glorify God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 15:6)," the members of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church noted.