DECR chairman sends Christmas and New Year greetings to heads of foreign states, foreign public figures and statesmen

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, sent Christmas and New Year greetings to Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; King Juan Carlos I of Spain; Mr. Juan Manuel Santos Calderón,
President of the Republic of Colombia; Mr. Bronisław Komorowski, President of the Republic of Poland; Mr. Tomislav Nikolić, President of the Republic of Serbia; Mr. Heinz Fischer, Federal President of the Republic of Austria; Mrs. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany; and to other foreign public figures and statesmen. The text of the message is given below.

 

Please accept my heartfelt congratulation on the great and saving feast of the Nativity of Christ and the New Year.

The mystery of the appearance in the world of Christ the Saviour cannot be comprehended by the mind, yet it is revealed to the believing heart. In his love for people the Lord became man, and man by the mercy of the Saviour became a ‘participant of the divine nature’ (2 Pet 1:4).

In our turbulent age all faithful followers of Christ and people of good will must come to the defense of human life, unite their endeavours for the vindication of traditional moral values, the forestalling of international conflicts and the establishment of a lasting peace between countries and peoples.

Wishing you succour from the Divine Infant Christ in your ministry, blessed success and strong health, I remain,

With respect,

 

            /+ Hilarion/

 Metropolitan of Volokolamsk

  Chairman of the Department

 for External Church Relations

        Moscow Patriarchate