“Over your long years of service you have earned high recognition as a pastor, exceptional religious leader and talented theologian”, the President said in his message of congratulations. “You have shown your firm commitment to traditional Orthodox values and demonstrated your ability to successfully lead the Church in its missions in Russia today.
Under your guidance, the Russian Orthodox Church, reborn and unified once more, is building constructive relations with the state authorities. The Church is making an important contribution to strengthening interfaith and interethnic peace and harmony in our country, and to our young people’s moral education, helping to raise them in the spirit of Christian morality, patriotism and respect for our country’s cultural heritage.”