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

Allow me to express my heartfelt congratulations on the great feast of the Nativity of Christ and the New Year.

The mystery of the incarnation of God which has opened up the path to the salvation of the human race, was and remains an inspiring symbol of hope, ‘For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost’ (Lk. 19, 10).

In sharing the joy in the Saviour who has come into the world, all Christians draw strength in his feat for a life of love for neighbour and those far removed from us. To this day the Christian message has not lost its ability to arouse people in the renewal of their private and public lives and to arouse Christ’s Church in granting them the necessary strength to do so.

During these radiant days I wish you strong health, the aid of God and success in all good labours.

With respect,

/Hilarion/

Metropolitan of Volokolamsk

Chairman

Department for External Church Relations

Moscow Patriarchate