DECR chairman sends greetings to His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia on the Day of Krsna Slava

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, greeted the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church with the Day of Krsna Slava.

Your Holiness,

Please accept my cordial greetings with the Day of Your Holiness’ Krsna Slava, Feast of the Resurrection of Lazarus.

The Raising of Lazarus is a symbol and omen of universal resurrection for all, St Justin of Ćelje teaches us (The Dogmatics of the Orthodox Church, volume 3). Having raised Lazarus from the dead, the Lord by His voice bound death and by His Divine power shook the very foundations of Hades. Preparing to undergo His redemptive Passion, Christ worked a great miracle foreshadowing His victory over death.

Gazing upon Lazarus coming out of his tomb, we are lighted up with the radiant hope for our resurrection and participation in the eternal and blessed Kingdom of Christ. The Saturday of Lazarus is a feast of hope, and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us (Rom 5:5).

Wishing to Your Holiness peace, physical and spiritual strength and daring in your prayerful intercession for your God-loving flock, I remain

With respectful love in the Lord,

/+Hilarion/

Metropolitan of Volokolamsk

Chairman

Department for External Church Relations

Moscow Patriarchate