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

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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 1st at Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow.