Metropolitan Hilarion greets Primate of the Orthodox Church of Antioch on his name day
Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations (DECR), has sent a message of greeting to His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of Great Antioch and All the East, on the occasion of his name day.
Your Beatitude,
Please accept my heartfelt greetings with the commemoration day of your heavenly patron – the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian!
Imitating the ascetic deeds of the beloved disciple of Christ, you tirelessly edify the verbal flock entrusted to your care in “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (1 Tim 6:11).
By your selfless service you set a good example for the faithful children of the Patriarchate of Antioch, teaching them with love “to be ready for every good work” (Tit 3:1).
May the prayers of the Apostle of Christ strengthen you in enduring the ordeals that have fallen on the years of your Primatial ministry, so that you may worthily in word and deed bear witness to the truth of God.
On this day of celebration I am praying to the All-Generous God that He grant unto you good health, fortitude, longevity and unceasing help in your further Patriarchal service.
With respectful love in the Lord,
/+Hilarion/
Metropolitan of Volokolamsk
Chairman
Department for External Church Relations
Moscow Patriarchate