MOSCOW: June 9, 2014
Patriarchal Congratulations to Bishop Theodosius of Seattle On His 50 th Birthday

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russian congratulated His Grace Bishop Theodosius of Seattle, Vicar of the Western American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, on his 50 th birthday.

To His Grace, Bishop Theodosius of Seattle,
Vicar of the Western American Diocese:

Your Grace!

On this day, when the Righteous Church, praising the Consubstantial, Life-Giving and Indivisible Trinity, solemnly marks the great feast of the Pentecost, please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your 50 th birthday.

The Most-Wise Creator and Provider of the World led you, already tonsured in the glorious Kievo-Pechersk Monastery, to the Holy Land, where you conducted your service in the churches of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, gaining valuable and useful experience.

Years later, you donned clerical vestments, �to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood� (Acts 20:28 ). Now as you perform your episcopal ministry on the North American continent, you help His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco to rule his diocese, striving �to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth� (2 Timothy 2:15 ).

In recognition of your service, and to mark this important date, I deem it proper to grant you a Patriarchal Decree.

May through the intercession of His Most-Pure Mother, the Merciful Savior preserve you in spiritual and physical strength for many years and may the All-Holy Comforter Spirit increase your gifts.

With love in Christ,

+KIRILL,
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA