The Serbian Patriarch thanks for Christmas messages

In expectation of the most joyous Christian feast day – the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ – His Holiness Irinej, the Serbian Patriarch, received a great  number of festal greeting cards from primates, hierarchs and clergymen and monastics of the Local Orthodox Churches, hierarchs and priests of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Roman Pope, Roman Catholic archbishops and bishops, the Archbishop of Canterbury, primates of Protestant Churches and the Islamic communities,  high officials of the Republic of Serbia and of the states in the region, dignitaries of state authorities, presidents of municipalities, foreign ambassadors in Belgrade, rectors of universities and heads of scientific and cultural institutions, and of non-governmental organizations, directors of companies and many individuals. The Serbian Patriarch exchanged Christmas messages with General Secretaries of the World Council of Churches and the Conference of European Churches, the President of Lutheran World Federation, The Alliance of Reformed Churches, the Chairman of the Council of  the Evangelical Church in Germany as well as with some other Christian organizations and institutions.

His Holiness Irinej, truly delighted by this nice gesture of love and respect, expresses herewith his deep gratitude to all of them:

“Overwhelmed with the joy of the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, We wish to all of you every Divine blessing and pray to the Christ Child, the Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6), to bestow peace, justice and love upon all humanity – His peace on earth among men with whom He is pleased (Lk. 2:14).

Being grateful to all of you for prayerful remembrance and expressed best wishes, We congratulate this great Christian feast-day with the joyful exclamation:

PEACE FROM GOD! CHRIST IS BORN! – INDEED HE IS BORN!”