Patriarch Alexy Sends Congratulations to Metropolitan Laurus

His Eminence, The Most Reverend LAURUS,
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York,
President of the Synod of Bishops,
Russian Orthodox Church Abroad

Your Eminence,

I offer heartfelt congratulations to Your Eminence and your God-preserved flock on the significant occasion of the seventy-fifth anniversary of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville.

This holy monastery has been for many years a center of Orthodox monasticism outside the borders of Russia, a focal point of spiritual life and evangelical preaching. The brotherhood of the monastery, surmounting difficulty and deprivation, has born a special podvig laid upon it by Divine Providence: to preserve in exile the treasure of Holy Orthodoxy, to protect the legacy of the Russian spiritual tradition, and to convey the experience of monastic activity. Fervent prayer for the salvation of Russia has been raised here for decades.

One most not overlook the monastery's publishing work. The monastery print-shop published books that brought the light of faith to people at a time when the publication of spiritual literature in the Homeland was practically impossible. The service of Holy Trinity Seminary, which has educated many worthy pastors of the Russian diaspora, should likewise be mentioned. It is gratifying that its contact with the theological schools in the Holy Trinity-St Sergius Lavra is now developing.

The monastery's anniversary is preceded by Your Eminence's name-day. Many years of your labor and your entire life are closely bound to Holy Trinity Monastery. In the days of this two-fold celebration I prayerfully wish bountiful mercies from the All-Merciful Lord, good health and length of days to Your Eminence, and peace and prosperity to the holy monastery you guide wisely.

With love in the Lord,

+ ALEXY,
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia