His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia sends greetings to the Editors and Readers of the ‘Europaica’ Electronic Bulletin

I cordially congratulate the editors and readers of “Europaica” electronic bulletin on the issue of the jubilee one hundredth bulletin.

Today, when the Russian Orthodox Church is reviving after seventy years of persecution, when it enjoys full rights as participant in the life of society both in Russia and abroad, the publication of this issue is extremely topical and timely.

The Russian Church, which has several dioceses, hundreds of parishes and millions of believers on the territory of the European Union, is taking an active part in creating a new countenance of our continent. It is the task of our Church to remind Europe of its Christian roots, to resist the attacks of aggressive secularism, and to defend traditional values. The Representation of the Moscow Patriarchate to the European Institutions plays an active part in performing this noble mission.

The ‘Europaica’ bulletin issued by the Representation covers both domestic and external activity of the Russian Orthodox Church, publishes documents that express its position on urgent questions of our times, presents discussion on the role and place of traditional moral values in the life of modern Europe. The publications are addressed to the wide circle of readers, including theologians and politicians, diplomats and parliamentarians, clergy and laymen, Orthodox believers and those of other Christian confessions, as well as the followers of other religions, in a word – to all who are not indifferent to the future of the European continent and the peoples living there.

I invoke God’s blessing on all the staff members of the Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church to the European Institutions and wish them abundant help of God. Truly, “your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor 15:58). I wish all readers of the bulletin peace, good health, well-being and success in their good undertakings.

Alexy,
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia