DECR chairman greets heads of foreign countries, statesmen and public figures in far abroad countries with the Nativity of Christ and New Year

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, sent Christmas greetings to the heads of  the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Liechtenstein, Germany, France, Colombia, Poland and other countries, as well as to other foreign statesmen and public figures. The message reads:

 Please accept my sincere congratulations on the occasion of the great and holy feast of the Nativity of Christ and also the New Year.

During the days of the Nativity the true followers of Christ, called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Mt 5:13-14), share with those near and those afar their joy in the Divine Infant, and testify to their faith through prayer and good deeds. At this radiant time the Church calls upon each one of us to show mercy and concern for the sick and the suffering, to overcome conflict and enmity.

I wish you and those close to you good and strong health and aid from the Divine Infant Christ in your beneficent undertakings and labours.

With respect,

/+Hilarion/

Metropolitan of Volokolamsk

Chairman

Department for External Church Relations

Moscow Patriarchate