Print This Post

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, sent Paschal 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. Heinz Fischer, Federal President of Austria; Mrs. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany; Mr. Juan Manuel Santos Calderón, President of Colombia; Mr. Bronisław Komorowski, President of Poland; Mr. Tomislav Nikolić, President of Serbia; and to other foreign public figures and statesmen. The text of the message is given below.

Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the radiant feast of Christ’s Resurrection, the Passover!

St. John Chrysostom speaks thus of this saving day: ‘The most desired and saving feast, the day of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the foundation of the world, the beginning of reconciliation, the cessation of hostile acts, the destruction of death, the defeat of the devil’ (Homily for Easter). These words inspire us to establish peaceful relations between people, to acts of mercy and to sincere love of our neighbour.

Henceforth before every human person there opens up the path to spiritual perfection, a life of virtue, creative labours, mutual help and support for those in need and the downcast, co-operation with all people of good will in the cause of strengthening in society the ideals of strong faith, radiant hope and all-conquering love.

On this festive day I wish that the risen Christ the Saviour grant you health, peace and prosperity and God’s help in your labours.

Respectfully,

+Hilarion

Metropolitan of Volokolamsk

Chairman

Department for External Church Relations

Moscow Patriarchate