Metropolitan Hilarion’s condolences to the President of the People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao over the devastating earthquake on Tibetan plateau
Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, sent the following message of condolences over the earthquake in the Quinghai Province to the President of the People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao.
Your Excellency:
Please accept my deep condolences over the natural calamity that has befallen the people of China, the earthquake in the Quinghai Province. We feel heartfelt compassion for the death of many people, the suffering of the dozen thousands of the injured, and the sorrow of the hundred thousands of Chinese citizens. I pray for the soonest recovery of the people under the ruins, including school children.
We offer up especial prayers to the All-Bountiful Lord and to the saints who have shown forth in the land of China for health, rescue, and strength of mind to all those who have suffered, and to the near and dear of the victims. We wish courage and strength to the leadership of the Peoples’ Republic of China in their labours undertaken for the overcoming of the tragic consequences of the catastrophe.
With deep respect,
+Hilarion
Metropolitan of Volokolamsk
Chairman
Department for External Church Relations
Moscow Patriarchate