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On April 21, 2019, eight explosions resounded in churches as well as hotels and other public places in the country’s largest city of Colombo and its suburbs. The death toll exceeded 200; among the victims are people who came to churches for Easter celebrations.

 His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia sent a message of condolences to President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisene and to Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo.

His Excellency Maithripala SIRISENE

President

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

  

Your Excellency,

I am deeply shocked by the series of explosions in Sri Lanka which have killed hundreds of people and wounded a great many.

The terrorists have chosen as the targets of their attacks not only residential and public buildings but also Christian churches in which multitudes of the faithful assembled for Easter celebration.

Please, convey my words of sincere condolences to the relatives and loved ones of the victims as well as wishes of early recovery to all the wounded. I hope that the state authority and law-enforcement bodies of Sri Lanka will do everything that is possible to prevent not only the executors but also the organizers of these bloody crimes from evading responsibility for the evil actions they committed.

I am lifting up prayers to merciful God that He may give consolation to those who has been affected by the horrible disaster and give all those who are working these days to overcome the consequences of the terror actions.

 

With profound condolences,

            + Kirill

            Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

 

The Most Rev. Malcolm Ranjith

Archbishop of Colombo

 

Your Eminence,

 

With profound grief. I have heard the news about the terrorist actions committed by culprits in Catholic churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on the feast day of the Easter of Christ.

Such inhuman crimes have and can have no justification whatever slogans were used by their doers to cover them. On behalf of the Russian Orthodox Church, I extend my sincere condolences to you and to the clergy and the faithful of the Roman Catholic Church in your country.

I am praying to the Conqueror of death our Lord Jesus Christ that He may give a speedy recovery to the wounded and fortitude in this trial to all those who have been affected by this disaster.

 

With profound condolences,

 

+ Kirill

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia