Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill congratulated His Beatitude Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine Onufry on the 50th anniversary of his service in the holy dignity, writes Patriarchia.ru.

Your labors found favor in the eyes of God, and after years He called you to the highest degree of church service. For more than thirty years you have been doing archpastoral work in Ukraine, convincingly testifying to those near and far about the beauty of the Orthodox faith, protecting the flock of Christ’s verbal sheep from divisions and temptations contrary to teaching (Rom. 16:17).

Over the past time, under your wise leadership, a lot has truly been done for the development of church life: new churches have been restored and built, monasteries have been revived, educational, catechetical and social service is being carried out. You are invariably open to dialogue and interaction with government bodies and public institutions, representatives of science, education and culture.

In view of your bishop’s labors and in connection with this significant date, I believe it is fair to confer upon you the Order of the Monk Seraphim of Sarov (1st degree).

May the Lord Almighty renew your mental and physical strength, bestow courage and His unfailing help in further archpastoral work for the benefit of the church,” wrote Patriarch Kirill.