DECR chairman greets His Holiness Patriarch Irenej of Serbia with third anniversary of his enthronement

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, sent the following greeting to the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church with the third anniversary of his enthronement:

His Holiness Irinej

Archbishop of Peć

Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovci

Patriarch of Serbia

Your Holiness:

I wholeheartedly greet you with the third anniversary of your elevation to the See of Archbishops of Peć, Metropolitans of Belgrade and Karlovci and Patriarchs of Serbia.

This difficult ministry has always demanded special qualities from Primates of the Holy Church of Serbia: wisdom, hope for God and audacious prayers for the destiny of Serbian Orthodoxy. As our Serbian brothers are experiencing great trials and enduring sorrows on the land of their ancestors in Kosovo and Metohija sanctified by the labours of kings and by the exploits of saints and martyrs, the Russian Orthodox Church prays for God’s help to be bestowed upon Your Holiness and the God-loving Orthodox people in all countries of the Serbian Patriarchate.

While joining in these prayers, I wish Your Holiness peace of the soul and gracious strengthening of your physical powers for many good years of your Patriarchal ministry.

With respectful love in the Lord,

+Hilarion

Metropolitan of Volokolamsk

Chairman

Department for External Church Relations

Moscow Patriarchate