DECR chairman congratulates His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew with the anniversary of his election to the Throne of the Patriarchs of Constantinople

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, sent the following message to His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, greeting him with the twenty-first anniversary of his election as Primate of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople:

Your Holiness:

Please accept my heartfelt greetings with the twenty-first anniversary of Your election to the Throne of the Holy Patriarchs of Constantinople.

On this high throne You have succeeded the great ecumenical doctors, Ss Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, holy patriarchs Tarasius, Photius and all God-bearing men of the Church, whose wisdom and zeal for the Lord have adorned the glorious see of the New Rome for many centuries.

You have continued their works, while caring as a father for Your God-loving flock. You have strived to fulfill the Saviour’s commandment, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father in heaven.” (Mt 5:16).

I always offer up my prayers to God for the health of Your Holiness, and I ask You to accept my wishes of peace, physical strength of Your Holiness and God’s almighty help for many good years of your Patriarchal ministry.

With reverential love in the Lord,

+Hilarion

Metropolitan of Volokolamsk

Chairman

Department for External Church Relations

Moscow Patriarchate