Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk congratulates Primate of Greek Orthodox Church on the anniversary of his enthronement

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, sent the congratulatory message to His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece on the anniversary of his enthronement. The full text of the message is given below.

His Beatitude Ieronymos II

Archbishop of Athens and All Greece

Your Beatitude:

Please accept my cordial congratulations on the 4^th anniversary of your enthronement as the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church.

The Divine Providence has appointed you to be a pastor and a teacher (Eph. 4:11), to guide the flock of the Most Holy Greek Church in the difficult period that Greece is undergoing. Performing your ministry to the Church today requires from you pastoral selflessness and strength of your spirit.

The faithful of the Russian Orthodox Church are praying zealously for the Christian Greek people to overcome their present hardships and for you, Your Beatitude, to receive God’s strength and help.

I wish you good health, peace of mind and God’s gracious help in your fruitful works for the good of the Church of Christ.

With respect and love in the Lord,

+ Hilarion

Metropolitan of Volokolamsk

Chairman

Department for External Church Relations

Moscow Patriarchate