Patriarch Kirill to the Head of Antioch Church: You witness the Truth

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus congratulated His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Great Antioch and All the East, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Antioch, on the ninth anniversary of his enthronement. The congratulation was published on the website of the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church.

“Carrying out the high and responsible ministry of the Primate of the ancient Church of Antioch, you strive in everything to rely on the Chief Shepherd Christ, who called you’ to proclaim His name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people’ (Acts 9:15), ‘being a shepherd of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them’ (1 Pet. 5:2) and ‘being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus’ (Phil. 1:6).

In the difficult years of trials that befell the lands of Syria and Lebanon, you share with your flock all the hardships of the time, courageously testify to the Truth and selflessly labor for the benefit of the Holy Orthodox Church.

On this significant day, I prayerfully wish Your Beatitude strengthening of spiritual and bodily strength, spiritual joy and God's generous help in your further primatial ministry, and I wish peace and prosperity to your Christ-named flock,” said Patriarch Kirill.

As the UOJ reported, the hierarchs of the Russian, Antioch and Serbian Churches concelebrated in Buenos Aires on the feast day of St. Theophan, the recluse of Vysha.

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