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Metropolitan Kirill send his Christmas greeting to the heads of non-Orthodox Churches celebrating Christmas on December 25 according to new style

24.12.2005 · Архив 2005-2009, Документы  

Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, congratulated the heads of non-Orthodox Churches, which celebrate Christmas on December 25 according to the new style.

Greetings were sent to the Pope of Rome Benedict XVI, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland Jukka Paarma and leaders of other Churches and Christian communities.

The text is given below.

I wholeheartedly greet you with the radiant and joyful feast of the Nativity of Christ. On these days, when we solemnly recall the coming into the world of the Only-begotten Son of God, the Prophet Isaiah’ words resound with a new force: ‘For to us a child is born, to us a Son is give’ (Is 9:6). This was indeed a salutary news, as the Incarnate Lord ‘gave power to become children of God’ (Jn 1:12) to all who believe in Him.

I cordially wish you abundant grace from the Infant God, good health and God’s help in all your good deeds.

With love in the Born Christ,

Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad Chairman
Department for External Church Relations
Moscow Patriarchate

Nativity of Christ
2005/2006
Moscow