The Academy congratulates His Holiness Patriarch Kirill on his birthday

The Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, the Vicar of the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra, Bishop Kirill of Sergiyev Posad and Dmitrov, congratulates His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' on his birthday.

Your Holiness, Most Holy Master!

On behalf of the brethren of the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra, the faculty and students of the Moscow Theological Academy, the clergy and parishioners of the Sergiyev Posad Diocese, please accept heartfelt congratulations on your birthday.

This year, the entire fullness of the holy Church especially recalls the great feat of your predecessor on the throne of the Moscow Primates, Saint Tikhon, Patriarch of All Russia, who had particular care for the great cell of St. Sergius. However, his untiring labors, which bore the blessed fruit of preserving the faith of Christ in the raging ocean of godlessness, did not spare him from being a witness to the terrible events that befell the holy Lavra and the entire Russian Church.

Recalling those terrible events today, we rejoice that we find ourselves in completely different circumstances, when the holy Church, in the spirit of Christ's freedom, can bear unhindered witness to the salvific Gospel and peacefully arrange the internal life of its monasteries, theological schools, and numerous parishes.

All of this would have been impossible without your untiring labors, guiding church-state relations towards a peaceful and constructive course, shielding the Church from disorders and turmoil.

Grateful for your many fruitful labors, on the day of your personal celebration, together with the entire fullness of the Russian Orthodox Church, we offer heartfelt prayers for your health, well-being, and gracious assistance in your service. May the Almighty Master preserve you unharmed from all evil for many good years!

Asking for your archpastoral prayer and blessing, 

Your Holiness' humble servant,

Kirill, 

Bishop of Sergiyev Posad and Dmitrov,

Vicar of the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra,

Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, 

with the brethren, faculty, and students.

November 20, 2025