Patriarch Kirill wrote in a congratulatory message published on the Russian Orthodox Church’s website: “Your Excellency, dear Mr. President! I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart on your ninetieth birthday. You are an experienced and visionary statesman who has consistently defended peace in the Palestinian land, whose people have suffered greatly and endured immense hardships in recent years.” He thanked President Mahmoud Abbas for his concern in preserving the Christian holy sites in Palestinian territories, which “attract many believers from all over the world for worship and prayer.” Patriarch Kirill added: “On this unforgettable day, I wish you strength and success in your responsible service, and to the Palestinian people, lasting and just peace and all prosperity.”
