Primate of Russian Orthodox Church greets Mr. Fidel Castro with his 90th birthday
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sent a message of greetings to Mr. Fidel Castro Ruz on his 90th birthday. The text of the letter is given below.
Dear Comandante,
On your 90th birthday, kindly accept my cordial congratulations on this remarkable date.
The Lord has given you a long life. For the past years you have gained a precious experience of public administration and a great authority both inside and outside your Motherland and have written your name in the chronicle of both the Cuban and the world history. To a considerable extent it is through your personal participation that friendly relations have been established between the peoples of Russia and Cuba.
The Russian Orthodox is grateful to you for the attention you give to the Orthodox Christians in Cuba and to the implementation of the project for building a church of Our Lady of Kazan in Havana. I cherish good memories of our meetings and warm talks with you during my visit to the Island of Freedom last February.
On this festive day, I wish you physical strength, peace of mind and help from the Lord in your life journey.
With profound respect,
+ KIRILL
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA