DECR chairman’s congratulatory message to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of his enthronement
The chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations (DECR), Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, has congratulated the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople on the anniversary of his election to the Patriarchal throne. The congratulatory message states:
Your Holiness,
I respectfully offer my congratulations on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of your election and installation to the Patriarchal throne of Constantinople.
In Your Holiness’s lofty and responsible Primatial service at the head of the ever glorious Orthodox Church of Constantinople, you have been fortified by the power of God’s grace and the prayerful intercession of our great predecessors who zealously guarded the purity of the faith once for all entrusted to God’s holy people (Jud. 1:3).
On this festive day, allow me to wish Your Holiness all-strengthening and grace-giving help from the Lord Pantocrator and spiritual and physical strength to the consolation and joy of all the faithful children of the Holy Church of Constantinople.
With respect and love in the Lord,
Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk
Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations
Moscow Patriarchate