Department for External Church Relations
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Message of greeting from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to participants in the festival ‘Russia-Greece. Together through the Centuries’
His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, sent a message of greetings to the participants in the 5th International Charity Festival of Christian Culture ‘Russia-Greece. Together through the Centuries’.
of the 5th International Charity Festival of Christian Culture
‘Russia-Greece. Together through the Centuries’
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
I cordially greet all of you as you have gathered together for the 5th International Charity Festival of Christian Culture ‘Russia-Greece. Together through the Centuries’.
This meeting held at the walls of the magnificent Cathedral of the Resurrection, the main church of the Russian Federation Armed Forces at the Patriot Park near Moscow, has been timed for the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the national liberation struggle of the Greek people and for the 20th anniversary of the glorification of Admiral Fyodor Ushakov as a saint.
The historical lives of our nations are tightly bound. Thus, Fyodor Ushakov as head of the Russian Navy squadron participated in the liberation of Ionian Islands from foreign occupation and a little later, Russian warriors helped their Greek brothers in their struggle for independence.
The memory of fallen heroes, of their selfless feat is sacred for people in Russia and Greece. The Russian Orthodox Church invariably stands up for the preservation of this memory and makes a considerable contribution to strengthening relations between our countries and peoples tied by their common Christian faith and spiritually close culture. To preserve faithfulness to the lofty ideals of the Gospel, to remember the commandment of our ancestors, who put much effort into the joint struggle for the freedom of the Greek people, is our calling and duty before the present and future generations.
I hope that the festival will contribute to the fellowship of our contemporaries and give them an opportunity for gaining a better knowledge of the rich heritage of the Russian and Greek cultures.
I wish you fortitude, God’s help and blessed success in all your good works and initiatives.
Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'
Patriarch
Department Chairman
Sermons
24.01.2021
06.11.2020