« Congratulation of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to King Charles III of Great Britain on Ascension to the Royal Throne »

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulates King Charles III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on his accession to the royal throne.

To His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Your Majesty,

Please accept our congratulations on your accession to the throne of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

It has fallen to you to take on the ultimate responsibility for the destiny of your country and to stand at the head of one of the most famous and respected ruling dynasties in the world. Your many years of work for the benefit of the country and its people has brought you the recognition of subjects of the British Crown and citizens of states that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

I remember your repeated visits to churches and monasteries in Russia and abroad, when you had the opportunity to get acquainted with the thousand-year-old spiritual heritage of the Russian Church. In 2016, you became an honoured guest of the Dormition Cathedral of the Moscow Patriarchate in London, which was previously consecrated by me after a large-scale renovation. I express the hope that the keen interest shown by you in the past years in Orthodoxy, including the Russian tradition, will contribute to the further development of good relations between our peoples belonging to a single European Christian family.

On this significant day for the entire United Kingdom and the countries of the Commonwealth of Nations, I wish Your Majesty peace, prosperity and God's generous help in your upcoming high and responsible service.

Sincerely,

+KIRILL, PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA