Primate of Russian Orthodox Church greets Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Paulose II with his 70th birthday

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sent a message of greetings to the Primate of Malankara Church Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Paulose II on the occasion of his 70^th birthday. The text of the letter is given below.

HIS HOLINESS BASELIOS MARTHOMA PAULOSE II

CATHOLICOS OF THE EAST AND MALANKARA METROPOLITAN

Your Holiness,

Please accept my heartfelt greetings with your 70^th birthday.

The years of your service to God and the Church have been marked by numerous good achievements. You are known as a zealous champion of the imperishable moral values, committed to the development of cooperation among Christians of various confessions and to interreligious peace in the land of India.

I have warm recollections of my visit to India in 2006 and of my meeting with your esteemed predecessor, His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymos I, and hope that the fraternal ties between the Russian Orthodox Church and the See of the Holy Apostle Thomas will continue to strengthen.

May the Lord preserve you in good health for many years.

With love in Christ,

+KIRILL

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA