His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia sends greetings to the heads of non-Orthodox Churches celebrating Christmas according to the Gregorian calendar

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia sent his Christmas greetings to the heads of non-Orthodox Churches which celebrate the Nativity of Christ on December 25.

Among his addressees are Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, President of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany bishop Wolfgang Huber, and leaders of other Churches and Christian communities. The text is given below.

On these days of the radiant triumph when the angelic song ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Lk 2:14) is resounding in Heaven and on Earth, we, Christians, follow the call of St John Chrysostom and rejoice in the grace shown to us and our privileges. Let us praise God Who became man for His great indulgence.

I wholeheartedly greet you with the Nativity of Christ and wish you abundant grace from the newborn Infant God, good health and God’s help in your noble and responsible ministry.

With love in the Newborn Christ,

+Alexy,
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia