Metropolitan Kirill presents his condolences on the decease of former head of the China Christian Council Dr. Han Wenzao

Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, sent a message of condolences to Rev. Ms Cao Shengjie, acting general secretary of the China Christian Council, in connection with the decease of the former head of the China Christian Council Dr. Han Wenzao.

See the text of the message below.

Ms. Cao Shengjie
President
China Council of Churches

Reverend Ms. Cao,

Kindly accept my profound and sincere condolences over the death of Dr. Han Wenzao, the long-standing head of the China Christian Council.

The whole life of Dr. Han Wenzao’s was marked with desire of peace and love commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ. In our difficult time when many people have lost their spiritual and moral guidelines under the influence of propaganda of egoism and consumerism, he was an example of truly brotherly attitude towards the neighbour.

As a religious leader and true patriot of his country, Dr. Han Wenzao worked selflessly to preach the gospel. He has made a great contribution to the enhancing of the role that Chinese Christians play in the social development of the country and in the consolidation of relations between the state and religious organizations.

Dr. Han Wenzao together with Bishop Ding also contributed to the consolidation of good relations between Chinese Christians and the Russian Orthodox Church. I recall with gratitude my meetings with him during my visit to China in 1993 and our joint efforts within the World Council of Church. His memory will be revered in the efforts to preserve and broaden fraternal contacts between the Russian Orthodox Church and the China Christian Council and the Three Self Patriotic Movement.

May the All-merciful Lord repose the soul of the deceased Dr. Ham Wenzao in the dwellings of the righteous.

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