Messages of condolence to Dr. Bashar Assad

MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE TO DR. BASHAR ASSAD

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia sent the following message of condolence Dr. Bashal Assad over the death of the President of the Arab Republic of Syria:

«Esteemed Dr. Bashar Assad,

Kindly accept my most profound condolences upon the death of President of the Arab Republic of Syria Mr. Hafiz Assad.

Your father proved in the Middle East and throughout the world to be a true advocate of the aspirations of the Syrian people, proponent and builder of just peace, man with powerful intellect and kind heart.

May the Most High give rest to his soul and send the beloved people of Syria peace, welfare and prosperity. Kindly convey my feeling of compassion to all those who were close to him and worked with the deceased».

A message of condolence was also sent to Dr. Bashar Assad by the Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad:

«Highly Esteemed Dr. Bashar Assad,

I was profoundly grieved by the sad news of the death of your father, President of the Arab Republic of Syria Mr. Hafiz Assad.

A tireless patriot and peacemaker, President Assad has made an invaluable contribution to the dignified and just order of life of the peoples of Syria and the entire Middle East. The deceased maintained long-standing friendly relations with Russia and other countries of the Commonwealth of The Independent States. Under President Assad good contacts developed between the Russian Orthodox Church and the government and religious circles of Syria.

Expressing most profound condolences to you and to all those who were close to the deceased and the Syrian people, I can assure you that the Russian Church will invariably support friendly relations between our two countries. I hope for continued cooperation. May it be mutually beneficial and contribute to the building of peace in the Middle East».