Metropolitan Hilarion sends a message of greetings to Primate of Orthodox Church of Alexandria on occasion of his name day
In his message to His Beatitude Theodoros II, Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations, greeted His Beatitude on the occasion of his name day. Below is the unabridged text of the message:
Your Beatitude,
On the commemoration day of the Holy Protomartyr Theodore Tyron, I respectfully ask you to accept my heartfelt congratulations on your Name Day.
In your long-standing lofty and important service as Primate of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria, you have been fortified by your heavenly patron’s prayerful intercession and the example of his commitment to Christ. You have tirelessly edified the verbal flock entrusted to your care to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness (1 Tim. 6:11).
Especially valuable for the Russian Orthodox Church is your personal contribution to the strengthening of traditionally good relations between the apostolic See of Alexandria and the Moscow Patriarchate, which is always glad to receive Your Beatitude as a dear and always welcome guest.
On this joyful day, I prayerfully wish you spiritual and physical strength, grace-giving help from above, and to your God-loving flock I wish peace and prosperity.
With respect and love in the Lord,
Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk
Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations
Moscow Patriarchate