His Holiness Patriarch Kirill greets Primate of Orthodox Church of Antioch with the anniversary of his Patriarchal ministry

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sent a message of greetings to His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Great Antioch and All the East on the anniversary of his enthronement.

His Beatitude John X

Patriarch of Great Antioch and All the East

 

Your Beatitude,

beloved in the Lord Brother and Concelebrant at God’s Altar:

 

I cordially congratulate You on the anniversary of Your enthronement.

By God’s Providence You have been placed at the helm of the Holy Church of Antioch at the difficult period of her history. On the land where the followers of Church were called Christians, people guided by false ides are trying to uproot their very name. You, together with the clerics and lay people, courageously face this devastating storm enduring trials with “steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and afflictions.” (2 Thess 1:4).

We remember Metropolitan Paul of Aleppo and Metropolitan Johanna Ibrahim and beseech the Merciful Creator: ‘Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south” (Ps 126:4).

I prayerfully wish Your Beatitude spiritual and bodily strength and God’s aid in Your primatial labors, and peace and wellbeing to Your flock.

 

With brotherly love in Christ,

 

+ KIRILL

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA