His Holiness Patriarch Krill of Moscow and All Russia has greeted the heads of states of Orthodox tradition on the Nativity of Christ. His Holiness congratulated President Boris Tadić of Serbia, President Filip Vujanović of Montenegro, President Gjorge Ivanov of Macedonia, President Georgi Parvanov of Bulgaria, President Traian Bǎsescu of Romania, President Karolos Papoulias of Greece and President Dimitris Christofias of Cyprus. The text is given below.
Please accept my cordial congratulations on the Nativity of Christ and the New Year. St. John the Apostle said: “God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him” (1 Jn 4:9). During these bright days we, like shepherds from Bethlehem to whom the angels brought good news of the born Christ, again are filled with great joy (Lk 2:10). It is this joy that helps us overcome difficulties and misfortunes in our life and gives us strength for creative and zealous labour. We should remember that the Lord calls people to live in peace and harmony and love people as brothers. The future of humanity can be built only on these simple, but intransient truths. I wish you good health and help of Christ the Saviour in your ministry to the good of your people in the coming year.
With respect,
/+KIRILL/ Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia