“I COULD FREELY CONFESS THE ORTHODOX FAITH IN THE BLESSED LAND OF ESTONIA”. Address of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia at the Reception in the Kadriorg Palace. 29 September 2003.
30.09.2003 · English, Архив 2003
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH ALEXY II OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA AT THE RECEPTION IN THE KADRIORG PALACE
Your Excellency, Mr. President of the Estonian Republic! Madame Ingrid Ryuitel! Honourable archpastors and pastors, respected representatives of the Estonian state and the Christian Churches of Estonia, ladies and gentlemen!
First of all I would like to thank the esteemed President of the Estonian Republic Mr. Arnold Ryuitel for the state award – the ‘Marjamaa Cross’ Order, which I received as a token of high appreciation on the part of the independent Estonia of the efforts of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate aimed at the triumph of the ideals of peace, good, justice and genuine freedom in Estonian society.
It is well known that the relations between the State and the Orthodox Church in Estonia have not been unclouded for the last decade. However, a lot has been done recently with an active participation of Mr.President and the Government of Estonia for the harmonization of the relations between the Church and the State and for the reestablishment of historical justice. A warm reception, which is being rendered to us in the land of Estonia gives us hope that the existing difficulties will be overcome in the nearest future, and that all Orthodox Christians will enjoy full and equal rights. That will undoubtedly serve to the strengthening of unity in Estonian society and will inspire confidence on people’s souls that this society is structured on the principles of justice and will allow our Church to fully realize its creative potential for the good and prosperity of the people of Estonia.
Public accord becomes even more important in the light of the recent will of the Estonian people, the majority of whom voted for the country’s joining the European Union. We respect this choice and hope that its results will favourably affect the life of all people living in Estonia, including the believers of our Church, and will promote effective implementation of their civil rights. We also hope that Estonia as a member of the European Union will not weaken, but develop its relations with Russia, Ukraine, Byelorussia, Moldova and other countries, where the majority of our believers live.
While in Estonia, which is so dear to my heart, I wholeheartedly greet its citizens in the person of Mr.President and I wish to thank the freedom-loving and hospitable Estonian people, to thank this country, where I was born and raised, where the benevolent atmosphere of love surrounded me from my childhood. I could freely confess the Orthodox faith in the blessed land of Estonia, while in the neighbouring Soviet Union the theomachist authorities persecuted the Church even to the point of bloodshed. I am grateful to the Lord for having the opportunity from my youth to join in the ecclesiastical life in all its fullness.
Our Church has performed its salutary ministry in the land of Estonia for many centuries and has taken spiritual care for a considerable part of its citizens. One of the fruits of this ministry is its weighty contribution into the development of the particular Estonian culture. Many renowned Estonian thinkers, authors and political leaders have adhered to the spiritual and moral values of Orthodoxy.
At present, when one of he tasks, which the Estonian state has put before it, is the building of the harmonious multicultural society with all kinds of opportunities for the preservation and development of national cultures, our Church, which unites by faith people of different nationalities will give all possible assistance to the implementation of this noble objective.
We offer up our prayers now and always for the prosperity and wellbeing of the free Estonia, for peace and happiness of all people living in this country.
May the Lord bless Estonia, may the Lord bless Estonian people!
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