His Holiness Patriarch Kirill greets heads of Non-Orthodox Churches with Easter

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sent Easter greeting to the heads of non-Orthodox Churches. Among his addressées are Pope Francis of Rome, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury, Praeses Nikolaus Schneider, president of the Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Germany, Dr. Kari Mäkinen, head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. The text reads:

I wholeheartedly congratulate you on the great feast of Holy Easter and greet you with the joyful words:

CHRIST IS RISEN!

In the radiant Easter days we solemnly glorify our Saviour Jesus Christ, who abolished death and brought life and immortality (2 Tim 1:10).

Christians are facing many challenges today: murderous conflicts are still going on in certain regions, enmity among people still exists, and attempts to oust Christian values from public life are being made. However complicated the reality is, we are called to conquer the evil of this world, being inspired by the Lord’s words: ‘Take courage; I have conquered the world!” (Jn 16:33).

With all my heart I wish you radiant Easter joy, good health, and God’s help in your responsible ministry.

With love in the risen Christ,

+ KIRILL

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia