DECR chairman’s congratulations to Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church

The chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, has sent the following congratulatory message to His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch Iliya II of All Georgia on the occasion of the anniversary of this primatial ministry:

 

Your Holiness and Beatitude,

I would like to respectfully congratulate you on the anniversary of your ascent to the ancient throne of the Catholicoses-Patriarchs of All Georgia.

For the long time of your primatial ministry, many trials have befallen Georgia and you with honour and dignity have proved to be a good pastor who strengthens his faithful in righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness (I Tim. 6:11).

The Orthodox Georgian people deeply honour Your Holiness and Beatitude, seeing in you their man of prayer and intercessor and pinning their hopes upon you in the knowledge that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16).

From my heart I wish you God’s inexhaustible help in your lofty ministry and spiritual and physical health in Jesus Christ our Lord.

With respectful love in the Lord,

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk

Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations

Moscow Patriarchate