“On the occasion of the twelfth anniversary of Your Beatitude's election as Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, please accept my heartfelt congratulations and assurances of the prayers of the clergy and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America

“I prayerfully wish Your Beatitude God’s help in all things. May the All-Good Lord, through the prayers of His Most Pure Mother and all the saints, strengthen you in your primatial ministry to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and preserve you in good health for many blessed years!

“Your Beatitude, adorned with the noble labor of monastic life and wise archpastoral ministry, you are for all of us an example of sincere steadfastness in the Truth.

“Metropolitan Emmanuel conveyed fraternal greetings from Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to the newly elected Primate of the Georgian Church.

“by the wise providence of God, His Beatitude Onuphry has been spiritually guiding the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for twelve years, proving himself to be a cornerstone who, despite all trials, steadfastly bears witness to the truth and verity of the Gospel

“I came to Georgia with double joy, to congratulate you on your election as Catholicos-Patriarch

“beloved brother and co-celebrant before the Throne of God

“More than forty years ago, I made monastic vows before the Heavenly King, one of which is the renunciation of my own will before the all-holy will of God. Therefore, I regard my election as Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine not as a distinction or an honor, but as a solemn obedience to Mother Church, for which I will have to give an account at the dread judgment of God.