Metropolitan Hilarion congratulates the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Antioch on the anniversary of his election to the Patriarchal Throne

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, sent the following congratulatory message to His Beatitude Patriarch Ignatius of the Great Antioch and All the East:

Your Beatitude:

Please accept my respectful greetings with the anniversary of Your election the Primate of the Holy Church of Antioch.

Your primatial labours at the ancient throne of Ss. Peter and Paul, worthy of the memory of Your great predecessors, have gained You a deserved glory in the entire Orthodox world. Widely known is Your Beatitude’s care for the flock of many millions living not only in the historical boundaries of the Church of Antioch, but scattered over all continents. Fruitful are Your endeavours aimed at the preservation of peace among nations and religious communities, as well as Your work done for the development of education in the Near East. Your sincere love to the Russian Orthodox Church has always found our heartfelt response.

Your Beatitude, as You celebrate the day of Your election Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, please accept my wishes of abundant mercies from our All-Bountiful Lord and God Jesus Christ, good health, and many years of primatial ministry.

With respectful love in the Lord,

/+ Hilarion/

Metropolitan of Volokolamsk

Chairman

Department for External Church Relations

Moscow Patriarchate