Patriarch Kirill’s message to the 4th International Russian-Georgian Festival of Poetry
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has sent the following message to the organizers, participants and guests of the 4th International Russian-Georgian Festival of Poetry held from June 20 to 29, 2010, in Tbilisi and Kobuleti, Georgia:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I cordially greet all the participants in the 4th International Russian-Georgian Festival of Poetry held under the motto “The World of Poetry – Without War”.
Your forum, which has united noted men and women of letters from many countries in the world, is called to testify through the lofty poetic word that sincere friendship and mutual understanding between peoples bound up by the same faith of Christ and spiritual tradition will remain unshakable for ages.
The brothers’ mutual desire of peace and neighborly relations will overcome with God’s help any obstacles and divisions however insurmountable they may seem.
The heritage of Russian and Georgian cultures so closely related to each other enriches the two nations. May the inspiration of today’s heirs of Pushkin and Rustaveli multiply for their posterity the great treasures left for us by our ancestors.
May God’s blessing be with you and lead your work to the good goal of strengthening peace and neighborly relations between the fraternal nations of Russia and Georgia.
+ Kirill
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia