ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ESTONIA

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Patriarchate

 
Encyclics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GREETING AND MESSAGE TO THE ESTONIAN PEOPLE BY HIS ALL-HOLINESS ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW THROUGH THE TELEVISION (1 November, 2000)

Leaving beloved Estonia after our six-day official visit, we like to thank God who granted us this blessed experience to get acquainted with so many of our brothers in love and esteem.
With all our heart we thank Their Excellencies, President of the Republic of Estonia and the Prime Minister together with all the authorities for the invitation, for their great hospitality, manifold help, honoring speeches and generally, for all the love and esteem with which we were surrounded. We also like to thank all the other Christian Churches in Estonia for their brotherly love towards the Estonian Orthodox Church.
We are happy and content for the progress the Estonian people has made in such a short time from regaining its independence, and also for the progress the Estonian Orthodox Church has made. From all our heart we hope that both can continue their upwards way unhindered.
A basic condition for both common and other progress is faith in Jesus Christ and His Church and following the evangelic virtues. Without faith and hope even the best intentions fail. Although economic, technical, organizational, scientific and other progress is attained, there is no true happiness and joy for people, because the answers to deeper existential questions are lacking and the void in the souls is filled with nothing. So, much evil arises both on personal and communal level, and all this witnesses to a spiritual dead-end.
We hope, that the Estonian Orthodox Church, which is small in numbers but rich in traditions, can contribute to the spiritual development of the whole society. The Church is ready for that and makes all in her powers under the inspired pastoral leadership of the most worthy Metropolitan of Tallinn and All Estonia Stephanos.
So, with all our heart we bless paternally and Patriarchally the beloved Estonian people and wish that its beautiful perspectives for a bright future will come true, among them its quick reception into the European Union. Let all this be accomplished by the power of God, whose grace and rich mercy be with you all, my dears.
We greet all of you, we thank and bless all of you. Let the Estonian swallows bring here always the spring messages of joy and hope, peace and goodwill.
And let the Mother of God, Mary, always protect and guard her blessed land, the land of Estonia. Amen.

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