To His Eminence, the Very Most Reverend
PAUL
Metropolitan of Vyshgorod & Chernobyl
Deputy Abbot of the Kiev Caves Lavra
Your Eminence,
Very Most Reverend Master!
On behalf of the episcopate and the fullness of the Russian Church Abroad, I hasten to fraternally assure you of our common love, support, and prayers for the speedy overcoming of the present difficult ordeals which have befallen you, your monastic brethren, supporters, and worshippers of the Kiev Caves Lavra! With profound empathy, with faith in God’s Providence, which leads us all to salvation, we join you in your prayers, wishing with all our hearts for Heavenly aid and the bolstering of your strength in these difficult times. I feel your personal pain over these events, especially praying for you before the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God and during the Divine Liturgies which I celebrate.
May the light of the star of Bethlehem, which once showed the Magi from the East the path to Christ the Divine Infant, illuminate and warm you all and lead you to the joy of the reestablishment of justice for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, headed by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Onufry, who is universally beloved and honored, and the reestablishment of divine services in the great Dormition and Refectory Cathedrals of the Kiev Caves Lavra, so dear to our hearts!
I noetically embrace you all, remaining in the perpetual love of the Lord, and beseeching your holy prayers,
+NICHOLAS
Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
The original fraternal letter (in Russian) of His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, to His Eminence, Metropolitan Paul, and the brethren of the Kiev Caves Lavra, can be read in PDF format by clicking here.