Today, Metropolitan of Boryspil and Brovary Anthony (Pakanich), Director of Affairs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, is celebrating his 55th birthday.

Dear Bishop!

I heartily congratulate you on this significant date!

I am very glad that I can call you my friend, and I cherish this very much.

Together with you, we have gone through many trials, and I have always noted how courageously and at the same time humbly you bear the difficult cross of your church ministry.

The Lord has given you many talents. Another person, possessing the same mind, education, amazing gift of words, might have become proud long ago. But in you, dear Bishop, all these qualities are successfully combined with amazing modesty, intelligence and goodwill.

Everything you touch blooms and transforms.

For ten years, you have carried the obedience of the rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary, successfully combining teaching rigor with paternal care.

For the same number of years you have been fulfilling the most responsible obedience of the Administrator of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which fell on the time of the most difficult trials. I have repeatedly witnessed how firmly and courageously you defend the purity of the Orthodox faith, the inviolability of the patristic canons, and the righteousness of our Church.

The Lord gives such a heavy cross only to those who can bear it. I am sure that you still have to do many wonderful good deeds for the Glory of God.

On this solemn day, I want to wish you, dear Bishop, that the Lord strengthens you, confirms and multiplies your selfless labors in the church field. So that your archpastoral word falls on good ground, ignites in the souls the light of the faith of Christ warming from the cold of indifference and disunity.

May the Lord always help in your high service, bless you with strength and health, peace and joy.

Many and good years to you!