His Holiness Patriarch Kirill congratulates His Holiness Bartholomew of Constantinople on the twenty-first anniversary of his election as Patriarch

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sent the following message to His Holiness Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, greeting him with the twenty-first anniversary of his election as patriarch:

Your Holiness,

Beloved Brother in the Lord and Concelebrant at God’s Altar:

I cordially greet Your Holiness with the anniversary of Your election to the Patriarchal Throne of Constantinople.

By the will of the Creator and Provider of all good things You have been elevated to the high primatial ministry, thus having become responsible for the destiny of the Holy Church of Constantinople. You have been bearing this heavy cross for over twenty years, taking care for spiritual growth of your flock and witnessing the unconquerable power of faith in Christ to the world.

On this solemn day, I wish Your Holiness abundant mercies from God, spiritual and physical strength and graceful help from above in your primatial ministry.

With fraternal love in the Lord,

+ KIRILL

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA