On October 29th, 2009 His Holiness the Bulgarian Patriarch MAXIM will celebrate his 95th Birth Day. On this occasion he will consecrate the new church in the Holy Patriarchate "St. Marina" (the civil name of His Holiness was Marin).

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Your Holiness Patriarch MAXIM,

Bless Your Holiness!

We at Holy Dormition Orthodox Church greet and congratulate Your Holiness on your 95th birthday. We pray that your day will be full of Our Lord's blessing and joy along with the love of His most-pure Mother. We are so thankful for your fatherly love for us here in America and your constant and unceasing prayers for each one of us. It is with deep appreciation for your compassion and generosity towards us that we wish you every blessing on this special day. Thank you for all the wonderful epistles that you send to us, enlightening our hearts and minds with the true Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you also for receiving us so warmly when we have come to visit you in Bulgaria and allowing us to serve with Your Holiness -- a great blessing for us clergy. And we thank you also for giving us your spiritual son, His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, to lead us here in America. He is a wonderful example of our Bulgarian Hierarchs and beloved by many everywhere.

Your Holiness, may Our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ grant you Many Years!

We ask for Your Holiness' continued support, prayers and blessing for the missionary work of our Diocese of the USA, Canada and Australia. Through Your Holiness' prayers, may many Americans, Canadians and Australians be brought to the True Light of our Holy Orthodox Church.

Respectfully venerating Your right Hand,
Archpriest Michael Oyer and the flock of Holy Dormition Orthodox Church
Santa Rosa, CA
www.holydormitionchurch.org


 

Blagoslovi, Vladiko!
 
Your Holiness:
 
The faithful of Saint Herman of Alaska Mission send you our warmest greetings in the Lord on the occassion of the 95th anniversary of your birth!
 
We wish for you to know that you are in our prayers constantly and without fail, both in our daily celebrations of Divne Services (weekly Akathists, Liturgies, Vespers, and daily Morning Prayers).  We remember fondly your last visit to the US, and we treasure the memories of our having the honor to receive a blessing directly from your hands!  Now we hold tightly to that first blessing as we continue to seek our Lord's will through your continued blessings to us and your prayers for us in America.  Since your visit to America, many of us have aged much, but when I see your photograph, you look as you did then, on that day you visited the faithful of Sveti Duch in Cincinnati!  How is this possible?
 
May our Lord grant to you Many Years, and through His gift of years to you thereby bless us, thereby keeping you as our Patriarch, under your pastoral protection and care.  You are the only Patriarch that many of us have ever known, and we pray that your health, your strength, your wisdom, and your prayers will continue to guide us and strengthen us for many more years!
 
I also wish to send to you my personal thanks for your prayers for the little child of God, Marina.  Metropolitan Joseph told me of your love for her after hearing her name.  She fell asleep in the Lord only days after her birth, but I know that it was because of your holy prayers that she did not leave this world before she received baptism, Chrismation, and before she tasted on her own the Body and Blood of our Lord.  Now we know with certainty that she rests in His arms, free from any harm this world could do her.  I cannot thank you enough for remembering this loved one of our Lord!  It is a great comfort and joy to know that on the day of your birth you will consecrate a church to her Patron Saint, Saint Marina!  With your blessing, I will share this joyous news with her parents.
 
All love in Christ,
Father Basil Rusen
for the faithful of
Saint Herman of Alaska Mission
Hudson, Ohio