Christmas congratulations of President

President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev has congratulated Orthodox clergy and all parishioners on Christmas!

Among the religions esteemed in the world, the Christianity is one of the most influential. It preaches high moral values, following which ennobles people, strengthens public and family foundations of life, is said in the congratulation.

The Orthodox Christianity has played important cultural - forming role in history of Tatarstan. Peaceful co-existence with other religions, good neighborhood and tolerance, respect for cultures of other peoples, pluralism and the conceived necessity to live amicably - all these traditions have a thousand-year history in our republic. Preservation of interethnic and inter-confessional peace in uneasy conditions of last decade - a main condition of well-being and prosperity of Tatarstan in which maintenance Orthodox Christians of republic plays an important role.

In Republic Tatarstan much is done for preservation of stability and consent in a society. New religious buildings are under construction, Sunday schools are being opened, organizations of Orthodox youth are created. In 2002 the first graduation of the theological Seminary was held.

Mintimer Shaimiev wished everybody good health, lucid and pure thoughts, successes in good affairs and happiness. Let during these Christmas holidays the hearts of all Tatarstanians be filled with pleasure of life, and in each family there will be more warmth and the good, is said in the congratulation.