Mintimer Shaimiev congratulated Kirill, Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, on his election of Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

Your Excellence,

On behalf of all citizens of Tatarstan and on my behalf may I congratulate you on your election of Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

Your active outreach activities, strenuous work on the development of international links of Russian Orthodox Church gained prominence and authority among wide public both in our country and abroad. Undoubtedly, it is your merit, that today the role of the Church is increasing in spiritual and moral renewal of the Russian community. I sincerely wish that your patriarchal service truly becomes paternalism on the execution by Russian Orthodox Church of its high ministry, and truly becomes an estimable resumption of righteous undertakings of the Holy Patriarch Alexis II. I wish you every success in your service, dedicated to further development of the Church on its way to the social service, strengthening civil accord and fruitful ethnic and confessional dialogue, as well as the development of cooperation with the State in the deeds of knowledge. I wish you unfluctuating health, prosperity and many years of active and creative life, the telegram reads.

Press service of the RT President, 29th of January 2009