DECR chairman greets Patriarch of Serbia with the anniversary of his enthronement

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, has greeted His Holiness Patriarch Irinej with the anniversary of his enthronement. The message reads as follows:

Your Holiness:

Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the eight anniversary of your election and enthronement as Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

The Serbs who live in the Balkans and elsewhere in the world see Your Holiness as

spiritual leader of the Serbian Orthodox people. Your many visits to the much suffered Kosovo and diaspora inspire and encourage many believers.

While caring for the development of the traditionally brotherly relations with the Moscow Patriarchate You have visited it many times. We were especially happy over Your participation in the recent celebration of the centenary of the opening of the All-Russian Local Council 1917-18 and reestablishment of the office of Patriarch in the Russian Orthodox Church.

On this solemn day I offer up to God my ardent prayers for bestowing upon Your Holiness “joy in faith” (Phil 1:25), physical strength and abundant help from above in Your patriarchal ministry.

With reverential love in the Lord,

+ Hilarion

Metropolitan of Volokolamsk

Chairman

Department for External Church Relations

Moscow Patriarchate