Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church congratulates His Beatitude Patriarch Ignatius of Antioch on the anniversary of his election to the Patriarchal Throne

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sent the following greetings to His Beatitude Patriarch Ignatius of the Great Antioch and All the East:

Your Beatitude,

beloved in the Lord Brother and Concelebrant:

I wholeheartedly greet You with the anniversary of Your election to the throne of the Holy and Glorious Apostles Peter and Paul – the ancient throne of the Primates of Antioch.

Your selfless ministry to the good of the Holy Church of the Great City of Antioch and All the East that you carry on with zeal and diligence, is imbued with comprehension of the great responsibility placed upon You by the Lord, with care for the strengthening of Orthodoxy in the East, and with truly paternal care for your God-pleasing flock.

While recalling the event of Your election as the head of an ancient Orthodox Church and looking forward to our meetings during my forthcoming visit to the Orthodox Church of Antioch, I wish You almighty strength from the Lord and many years of gracious primatial ministry.

With brotherly love in the Lord,

+ KIRILL

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA