Your Beatitude,

May the Lord give you Peace!

On behalf of the Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land, I extend to you heartfelt congratulations on your election to the office and ministry of Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem.  Also on this happy occasion, I send my best wishes to your Brotherhood and to all the Greek Orthodox faithful in the Church of Jerusalem.

May Almighty God, who sent His only Son to redeem the world and proclaim God's kingdom of grace and peace, grant you the blessing necessary to carry out the important ministry with which you have been entrusted.  In light of our relationship in the holy places, we hope and pray to continue and expand our fraternal relationships with your Beatitude and your Brotherhood.


Yours in Christ,

Fr. Pierbattista PIZZABALLA OFM
Custos of the Holy Land

Fr. Stéphane MILOVITCH OFM
General Secretary of the Holy Land