“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.
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“I thank the most gracious God for the supreme gift of the priesthood: eight years as a deacon, four as a priest, 18 as a metropolitan and 35 as Ecumenical Patriarch, in the service of the entire Christian community under the dominion of the Lord, of the Great Church, of inter-Orthodox cooperation, inter-Christian and interreligious dialogues, peace and solidarity, the protection of the natural environment and the encounter between the Church and the contemporary world,
“Your Beatitude, our dear brother and co-celebrant in Christ! We send you our sincere congratulations on the anniversary of your enthronement as Metropolitan of Kyiv and all Ukraine
“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
“the Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church noted that Metropolitan Onuphry bears with honor the high and responsible Primatial ministry entrusted to him, serving as an example of selfless love for his people and the Church of Christ to his flock.
“he declared his organization's right to judge the Ukrainian Orthodox Church
“the Lord had chosen Metropolitan Onuphry for primatial ministry in these difficult times
“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
“You willingly emptied yourself for the Church, renouncing every personal interest and devoting yourself entirely to the service of Christ and His flock.