His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulated His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All The East, on the anniversary of his enthronement:
HIS BEATITUDE JOHN X
PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH AND ALL THE EAST
Your Beatitude,
Beloved in the Lord Brother and Concelebrant,
Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the anniversary of your Patriarchal enthronement.
Performing your lofty and responsible ministry as the Primate of the ancient Church of Antioch, you strive to rely entirely on Christ the Chief Shepherd, Who called you to bear His name before the Gentiles (Acts 9:15) and look after God’s heritage (1 Pet 5:3), so that the communication of the faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing in Christ Jesus (Philemon 1:6).
In these trying years for the lands of Syria and Lebanon, you share hardships with your flock, courageously bearing witness to the Truth and selflessly working for the good of the Holy Orthodox Church.
On this memorable day I prayerfully wish Your Beatitude strength in spirit and body, spiritual joy and generous help from God in your further Primatial service, and I wish peace and welfare to your flock bearing the name of Christ.
With brotherly love in the Lord,
+KIRILL
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA
