WESTERN EUROPEAN DIOCESE: July 11, 2018
Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York sends greetings to Protopriest Pavel Tsvetkov on his namesday and 45th anniversary of pastoral service

On Saturday, July 7, 2018, the day that the Orthodox Church celebrates the Nativity of John the Forerunner, a great multitude of worshipers gathered at Elevation of the Cross Cathedral in Geneva, Switzerland, since the day marked the 45th anniversary of the ordination of its Senior Priest, Protopriest Pavel Tsvetkov. Protopriest Emilian Pocinoc congratulated Fr Pavel on behalf of the hierarchy, clergymen and parishioners. Protopriest Mikhail Gundyaev, rector of the Nativity of the Mother of God Parish in Geneva, expressed his congratulations, noting the important role that Fr Pavel played in the task of the reestablishment of unity within the Russian Orthodox Church in 2007. A reception was then held in honor of Fr Pavel at the parish library.

His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, sent congratulations to Fr Pavel:

June 29/July 12, 2018

Your Reverence, Protopriest Pavel Tsvetkov,
Rector of Elevation of the Cross Cathedral in Geneva.

Dear in the Lord Very Reverend Fr Pavel:

I express my heartfelt greeting on the 45th anniversary of your pastoral service to the Church of Christ and your namesday. Today, prayerfully commemorating this important day during Divine Liturgy, you have the opportunity to lift up your thanks to God for His abundant mercies, poured upon you over all the years of your pious service.

Now you have “the gray hair… a crown of glory” (Proverbs 16:31), and you enrich the life of the Cathedral of the Elevation of the Cross and the Western European Diocese with experience and life’s wisdom. Your service, which comprises many years of witnessing Christ, always taught love for God and warmed the hearts of the parishioners entrusted to you, who demand from you constant effort, patience, spiritual sensitivity and vigilance.

On this important day, I fervently wish for you the ever-flowing aid of God in your continuing pastoral work. May the Lord preserve you for many blessed years through the intercession of the Chief Apostles Peter and Paul!

With love in the Lord,

+HILARION,
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York,
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.