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Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, sent a message of greetings to the Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church on his Name Day. The text of the letter is given below.

Your Holiness and Beatitude:

Please allow me to greet you with the commemoration day of your heavenly patron, Holy Prophet Elijah the Tishbite.

Your heroic deeds as Primate of the Holy Georgian Church are marked by the zeal of prophetic ministry and patience in enduring ordeals. Holding the pre-eminent position in the Georgian Church and enjoying the well-deserved highest authority, you, according to the word of St Paul, with humility have made yourself a slave to all, that you might win the more, and have become all things to all men, that you might by all means save some (cf. 1 Cor 9:19-22).

Together with your blessed flock you preserved the light of Christ’s faith throughout the years of atheism and persecution, adversities and historical upheavals, in order to bring the people of God – your spiritual children – to the spiritual welfare and the Gospel righteousness.

It is with gratitude that I recall our frequent meetings and your spiritual wisdom which always inspired me. I prayerfully wish to Your Holiness and Beatitude great spiritual and bodily strength and God’s help in your lofty ministry, and to the God-loving Georgian Church I wish prosperity and joy in Christ Jesus.

With respectful love in the Lord,

 

/+Hilarion/

Metropolitan of Volokolamsk

Chairman

Department for External Church Relations

Moscow Patriarchate