Patriarch Kirill’s congratulatory message to President of Chile on 200th anniversary of the republic

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has sent the following congratulatory message to Chile’s President Sebastian Pinere on the occasion of the 200^th anniversary of the Republic:

Your Excellency, Dear Mr. President:

Kindly accept my cordial greetings on the occasion of the remarkable date: the 200^th anniversary of the independence of Chile.

Your country has made a difficult historical journey to be considered today by right one of the most advanced republics in Latin America. Expatriates from Russia and other countries under the pastoral care of the Moscow Patriarchate have made their own contribution to the development of the Chilean society. Russian volunteers fought in Chilean patriots’ units during the Chilean War of Independence and seamen and publicists from Russia have left vivid testimonies of this important stage in the history of Chile.

The Russian Orthodox Church, whose flock includes not only our compatriots but also local people, has occupied a notable place in social life in Chile for many decades. We are grateful to the Republic’s authorities for their traditionally kind attitude to Russian Orthodox parishes and hope that it will be the same in the future.

I wish you, Mr. President, God’ help in your work for the good of your Motherland and to the people of Chile I wish lasting peace and prosperity.

Respectfully,

+ Kirill

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia