Message of heartfelt birthday wishes from Metropolitan of Kyiv to Archbishop of Cyprus
His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv extended heartfelt birthday wishes to His Beatitude Archbishop Georgios of Cyprus, acknowledging his lifelong dedication to serving the Orthodox Church and the people of Cyprus.
In his message on social media, he commended Archbishop Georgios’s tireless efforts in spreading the Gospel of Christ, upholding true faith, and maintaining canonical order. He stressed, “As a priest, metropolitan, and now as the Archbishop of Cyprus, successor to the throne of many illustrious predecessors, you have tirelessly worked and continue to work for the spread of the Gospel of Christ, the true faith, and the establishment of canonical order.”
Metropolitan Epifaniy expressed gratitude for Archbishop Georgios’s unwavering support for Orthodox Church unity, especially in the face of challenges, claiming “We are especially grateful to Your Beatitude for your steadfast, consistent, and unwavering support for the unity of the Orthodox Church.”.
He highlighted Archbishop Georgios’s empathetic understanding of the pain caused by war, emphasising his solidarity with Ukraine against Russian aggression.
In closing, Metropolitan Epifaniy wished Archbishop Georgios many blessed years of service, success, good health, and divine assistance in his endeavors, while reassuring Archbishop Georgios of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine’s unwavering prayers for him and the Church of Cyprus, while humbly requesting prayers for Ukraine in return.
Read the message of Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv:
On behalf of myself and the entire Orthodox Church of Ukraine, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on your 75th birthday!
You have devoted your entire life to serving the Orthodox Church of Christ and the devout people of Cyprus. As a priest, metropolitan, and now as the Archbishop of Cyprus, successor to the throne of many illustrious predecessors, you have tirelessly worked and continue to work for the spread of the Gospel of Christ, the true faith, and the establishment of canonical order.
As a Local Church, we are especially grateful to Your Beatitude for your steadfast, consistent, and unwavering support for the unity of the Orthodox Church, which is constantly under attack by the servants of the evil who want to destroy. Your clear and unyielding canonical stance in support of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, grounded in both theological wisdom and life experience, serves as a worthy example for other hierarchs.
The people of Cyprus, and you personally, understand from your own history the profound pain caused by foreign invasion and the inherent evil of war. This deep empathy fuels your wholehearted solidarity with the Ukrainian people in their struggle against Russian aggression. You support Ukrainian refugees who have found sanctuary in Cyprus, bear witness to the truth, and pray for the triumph of justice and peace in Ukraine.
We wish Your Beatitude many blessed years of service as Archbishop of Cyprus, success in your work for the good of the Church and the people, good health, and God’s help in the fulfillment of all your good intentions.
I assure you of our constant fervent prayers for Your Beatitude and for our elder sister, the Church of Cyprus in the Lord. We also humbly ask for your holy prayers for us and for Ukraine.
Source: Metropolis of Kyiv
