wfn.org | [SCOBA] SCOBA Congratulates New Head of Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All

[Communications Department <Communications@GOARCH.ORG>]

SCOBA
The Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas
8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2009

SCOBA Congratulates New Head of Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill 
of Moscow and All Russia


NEW YORK – Upon the election of the Locum Tenens of the Moscow 
Patriarchate, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad as the 16th 
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, the Officers of the Standing 
Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) sent 
the following message to Patriarch Kirill.


Your Holiness,

        We, the Officers of the Standing Conference of the Canonical 
Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), on behalf of all the Most 
Reverend Members of SCOBA, have the high privilege and distinct honor to 
offer our congratulations and best wishes to Your Holiness on your 
election as the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. In doing so, we convey 
to you the prayers and acclamations of “AXIOS” of all the faithful 
Orthodox Christians who are embraced collectively by our Churches 
throughout North America.

We give thanks to God that the Representation of the Moscow Patriarchate 
in the USA is once again a member of SCOBA, and we look forward to our 
continuing cooperation with our beloved brother in Christ, Bishop 
Mercurius of Zaraisk and all the Hierarchs of ROCOR. With God’s grace, we 
shall continue to enjoy new opportunities to tend our witness to the 
Gospel and affirm our unity in Christ.

May our Lord Jesus Christ ever grace Your Holiness with every blessing and 
strength to lead the Church of Russia on Her wondrous course forward in 
this new Millennium. Please accept our expressions of respect, honor and 
love that we offer with one mouth and one heart, as we remain,

Yours in Christ our Lord,
(signed)

 
†Archbishop DEMETRIOS,
Chairman 
 
†Metropolitan PHILIP,
Vice Chairman     
 
†Metropolitan CHRISTOPHER,
Secretary  
 
†Metropolitan NICHOLAS of Amissos,
Treasurer 

The Enthronement of Patriarch Kirill will take place on Sunday February 1
st at Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow.