His Beatitude Metropolitan of the Czech lands and Slovakia Rostislav congratulated His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine on the 50th anniversary of monastic tonsure, the Information and Educational Department of the UOC reports.

To His Beatitude, His Beatitude Onuphrius, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine

Your Beatitude, Beloved in the Lord Brother and Concelebrant!

I sincerely congratulate you on a significant date in your life – the 50th anniversary of the monastic tonsure and monastic labors!

You received the tonsure at the shrine of the great instructor of monasticism – the Monk Sergius of Radonezh, and in his Trinity monastery you learned the basics of a contemplative, prayerful life. There you also gained experience in administrative obedience, being Dean of the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. This school largely determines those of your personal qualities, thanks to which you steadfastly lead the long-suffering Ukrainian flock to the Light of Christ’s Truth.

Prayerfully I wish Your Beatitude the strength of strength and the grace-filled help of God through the prayers and intercession of all “reverend fathers who shone forth in monastic life” and who are coming to the Throne of the Lord of Glory!

With brotherly love in the Lord,

+ ROSTISLAV,

Metropolitan of the Czech lands and Slovakia