Holy Mount Athos, January 10, 2016
Abbot of Philotheou Monastery from Holy Mount Athos Archimandrite Nicodemus has greeted Russian residents on the great feasts of Nativity of Christ and Theophany.
“Our beloved brothers in Christ!
“With all our heart we wish you to spend the feasts of Nativity of Christ and Theophany with great spiritual joy. And we wish you all the blessings for the New Year 2016.
“The past year was marked for entire humanity by increased insecurity, and difficulties emerges in all spheres of social life. A frontal attack was launched against Christian values and the nations that are bearers of these values. And in this difficult situation Russia has found itself on the front line in the attempt to resist this aggression.
We sincerely wish you to be winners in your personal battle with all temptations in the New Year, 2016, by the grace of the Infant Christ and through intercession of His Most Pure Mother and Ever-Virgin Mary, and we wish for your motherland that it triumph over the enemies of truth and humanity.”