Alexander Shuvaev congratulated Metropolitan John on his birthdaytranslated

With the blessing of Metropolitan John of Belgorod and Stary Oskol, on behalf of the Government and residents of the Belgorod region, on my own behalf, I congratulate you on your birthday! On this day, our entire Orthodox Belgorod land honors you: ancient Kholki, industrial Oskol, the warrior city of Belgorod, and front-line villages that have once again become a defensive feature of the Fatherland. Together we, residents of the Belgorod region, pay tribute to your spiritual feat for the benefit of your native land and all of Russia. Through your labors and prayers, our land was reborn as Holy Belogorye. It became a stronghold and stronghold of Orthodoxy. You raised hundreds of thousands of Belgorod residents to be true Christians, persistent and courageous people. For the fifth year, the sons of the Belgorod region have been fighting for Russia on the front line, and all residents of the region, young and old, together with the soldiers, are holding the defense on the borders of the Fatherland. Your convincing living word, filled with ardent faith, gives us all the strength to bring the Victory of the Orthodox Motherland closer.

Please accept our common wishes for good health for many years to come, inexhaustible energy and strength of spirit, constant success and new achievements in your high service! Sincerely, Acting Governor of the Belgorod Region...