Primate of the ROC congratulates Ukrainians on Independence Day

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has sent a message to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, in which he congratulated all residents of the country on the 25th anniversary of the declaration of independence, reports the official site of the Russian Orthodox Church.

"In 1991, Ukraine chose a path of independent development. Having taken that path, it entered a new reality and was faced with many new, often severe challenges. To my deep regret, the conflict in the eastern part of the country remains one of them," the patriarch said in his message to Poroshenko, which was quoted by the patriarch's press service on Wednesday.

The patriarch said he is confident that "the peacemaking efforts of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church will continue promoting the creation of civil peace and accord in society and the establishment of traditional moral values among people."

He also said he is hoping for the development of constructive Church-state interaction in Ukraine.

"His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, saying that he prays for the wellbeing of all citizens of Ukraine, the softening of cruel hearts and the reconciliation of enemies, wished the people of Ukraine spiritual and bodily strength and help from the Lord in their good endeavors," the press service said.

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