Greeting Word of His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill

Your Holiness! We are happy to greet You in the blessed Ukrainian land!

A year ago the President of Ukraine signed the decree that the church commemoration of St. Vladimir’s day becomes state holiday – the Day of Baptism of Kyivan Rus.

Thus, both believing and unbelieving can get familiar with these things. This is our history, our culture, this is our future and present. God grant that Your archpastoral visit to Ukraine bear good fruits – those of love, peace and virtue. May the Lord bless Your ingoing and ultimation. Pray here for us sinners, so that our people, God-loving, Christ-loving and laborious, willing to pray and prayerful, lived in peace, welfare and mutual understanding, high Christian respect, based on the commandments of the Holy Gospel.

We heartily welcome You, Your Holiness, in Ukraine, and may the God bless You out of Zion, and You bless us all with grace, peace and love of men.

July 27, 2009
Kyiv,St. Vladimir’s Hill

† Vladimir,
Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine,
Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

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