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Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations, has extended congratulations to Mr. David-Maria Sassoli: 

Dear Mr. Sassoli,

I cordially congratulate you on your election as President of the European Parliament.

You have been entrusted with the mission of leadership over the legislative and representative body of the European Union, whose decisions make a substantial influence on the ways in which the European countries develop. Most of them belong to the Christian tradition, which for centuries has formed the character of the European continent. I hope that in your work you will give attention to problems involved in the preservation of Christian heritage and moral principles.

The Russian Orthodox Church is progressively developing dialogue with common European legislative and civic institutions, taking care of its flock in Western Europe. In Brussels and Strasbourg there are representations of the Russian Orthodox Church and one of their tasks is to strengthen cooperation with state leaders, parliament members and the public in the European Union.

I hope that, through these church structures, relations will be fortified between the Russian Orthodox Church and the European Union.

I wish you physical strength, wisdom and God’s help in your service ahead.

Respectfully,

 

+ Hilarion
Metropolitan of Volokolamsk
Chairman
Department for External Church Relations
Moscow Patriarchate