DECR chairman congratulates Primate of Orthodox Church of Antioch on 5th anniversary of his enthronement
Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, sent a message of greetings to His Beatitude Patriarch John X of the Great Antioch and All the East on the 5th anniversary of his Primatial ministry. The text of the message is given below.
Your Beatitude,
Please accept my cordial greetings with the 5th anniversary of your Patriarchal enthronement.
Finding strength in the heavenly intercession of Sts. Peter and Paul, founders of the Church of Antioch which has been glorious in centuries, you perform your Primatial ministry “by pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned” (2 Cor 6:6). Held in well-deserved respect by your brothers the archpastors, you wisely lead the Church of the Great Antioch and All the East, showing paternal care for all her faithful children.
Under your Patriarchal guidance, the Orthodox Church of Antioch successfully carries out her salvific mission, with new churches being built in various countries of her canonical responsibility and with her voice sounding more loudly and convincingly at international forums.
On this day of celebration I wish to Your Beatitude God’s help in your lofty Primatial service, good health and longevity, and I wish peace and prosperity to your flock that is being saved by God.
With respectful love in the Lord,
| /+Hilarion/
Metropolitan of Volokolamsk Chairman Department for External Church Relations Moscow Patriarchate |