His Holiness Patriarch Kirill congratulates Donald Trump on his election as President of the United States of America

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulated Donald Trump on winning the US presidential election.

Mr. Donald TRUMP, President-Elect of the United States of America

Dear Mr. Trump,

Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your election as President of the United States of America. The choice made by the American people is a sign of their great trust in you and of the hope they pin on you for the development of the country and for the changes both in domestic policy and foreign affairs.

Over many years of your intensive work you have gained wide experience that will help you deal with the matters pertaining to the life of the state and society, as well as to the cooperation with other countries.

The world is facing serious challenges today, and the United States of America have an important role to play in responding to them. It is only through the concerted efforts that people can oppose extremism and terrorism and defend the fundamental values of the lofty moral ideals, upon which the human rights and dignity are based.

It is my hope that the long-standing relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the United States of America will continue to develop for the benefit of our peoples united by the common history and by the Christian values.

I wish you strength, God’s help and every success in your future lofty and important ministry.

Yours faithfully,

+KIRILL

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA