ΡΩΣΙΚΗ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ. Τμήμα Εξωτερικών Εκκλησιαστικών Σχέσεων
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sent
Christmas greeting to the heads of the non-Orthodox Churches, including
Pope Francis, Patriarch Mar Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Church,
Catholicos-Patriarch Mar Gewargis III Sliwa of the Assyrian Church of
the East, Patriarch Bechara Butros Cardinal al-Rai of the Maronite
Church, Metropolitan Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, Catholic of the East.
The greeting reads as follows:
I cordially greet you with the great feast of the Nativity of Christ.
Our hearts tremble on hearing the joyous news of the newborn Infant
God proclaimed by an angel to the shepherds in Bethlehem over two
thousand years ago. Hope for salvation which the Lord has “prepared in
the presence of all people” (Lk 2:31) gives strength to Christians for
fulfilling the commandments of the Gospel, inspires them for doing good
and helps to overcome difficulties and trials.
Let praise the Lord for the ineffable love He has revealed to
humanity through His Son, for” the Life which destroys the fear of
mortality and brings to us the joy of promised eternity (St. Leo the
Great, Homily I on the Nativity of Christ).
I wish you strength and generous God’s aid in your noble ministry.
With love in Christ,
+KIRILL
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA