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Patriarch’s greeting of archbishop of Montreal Gabriel on his 50th birthday

5 June 2011

His Holiness, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kyrill congratulated archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada with his 50th birthday.

To The Very Most Reverend Gabriel, archbishop of Montreal and Canada

Your Eminence!

I congratulate you with your jubilee heartily.

During the years of your zealous ministry for the good of the Church of Christ, you, by the mercy of God, had an opportunity to fulfill many obediences, showing an example of humble and meek fulfillment of the Lord’s will and the decisions of the Hierarchy. Having been raised in the best traditions of the Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, you dedicated a significant portion of your life to teaching in this famous centre of orthodox spiritual education.

By the most wise Providence of the Master of the world, you soon became a successor to the apostles, “as good steward of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). Now you administer the Diocese of Montreal and Canada, bearing witness to the truth and beauty of the orthodox faith, “warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col. 1:28).

In attention to your diligent labours and to the significant jubilee celebrated by you I consider it proper to award you with the medal of St. Sergius of Radonezh, of the II degree.

By the intercessions of the Heavenly Mistress, may the All-mercifull Saviour keep you in good health and good spirit for many and good years, giving you the strength for the carrying out of the responsibility of hierarchical ministry.

With love in the Lord

+KYRILL, PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA

The clergy and faithful of the Canadian diocese, with spiritual joy join the congratulations and good wishes, expressed in the letter of His Holiness, Kirill Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, addressed to our Hierarch, the Very Most Reverend Archbishop Gabriel.

Many and good years, dear Vladyka