President Vladimir Putin of Russia congratulates His Holiness Patriarch Alexy with the Nativity of Christ

PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN OF RUSSIA CONGRATULATES HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH ALEXY WITH THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST

President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation sent a message of greetings with the Nativity of Christ to His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia. Here follows the full text of his message:

Your Holiness!

Please accept my most sincere congratulations with the Nativity of Christ. On these radiant and joyful days I would like to note once again the growing role played by the Russian Orthodox Church in the spiritual perfection of our society and in the formation of high moral qualities in the citizens of Russia.

The state is well aware of the role of the Church in the creation of conditions for further development of our country and highly appreciates your zealous work as Primate of the Church

May I express my sincere gratitude for your work and wish you spiritual and physical strength, peace, prosperity and success for the good of Russia.

V.Putin

6 January 2002