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His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sent the following message of greetings to Abdullah II, the King of Jordan, with his jubilee 50th birthday:

His Majesty ABDULLAH II

King of Jordan

Your Majesty:

Please accept my heartfelt greetings with Your jubilee 50th birthday.

During the years You have been leading Jordan, You have won sincere love of Your people and have deserved deep respect and recognition in the entire Arab world and beyond it. It is gratifying to know that You are exerting many efforts aimed at the early diplomatic settlement of conflict situations in the Middle East countries.

There are many sites in Jordan which Christians hold sacred, and many pilgrims from all over the world come to them. The number of believers from the Russian Orthodox Church coming to venerate these holy sites has increased recently. It is a great pleasure to know that warm hospitality is always accorded to pilgrims coming to Your country. I hope that this good tradition will be kept up.

I would like to express to Your Majesty a particular gratitude for the handing over of a plot of land by the River Jordan to Russia. The Russian Orthodox Church highly appreciates the efforts of the Royal family to arrange a historical-religious reserve on the site. I am confident that this will bring a substantial contribution to the strengthening of friendly relations between our states.

On this festive solemn day I wish You, Your Majesty, spiritual and physical health, success in Your work and help from the Almighty, and to all people of Jordan – peace and prosperity.

With deep respect,

/+KIRILL/

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia