Condolences of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill Gundyaev of Moscow and all the Russias to His Majesty King Harald V of Norway on the Occasion of the Terrorist Attack on Oslo and Utøya Island

Light a candle for them tomorrow, if you would… it’s the least that you can do…

______________________________

Your Majesty!

It was with great sorrow that I learned of the terrible terrorist attacks in the capital of Norway, as well as on Utøya Island. Please, accept my sincere condolences on behalf of all the faithful of the Patriarchate of Moscow and all the Russias, which, in these tragic days, prayerfully share the suffering of the Norwegian people. I ask you to convey our words of sympathy and support to all the subjects of the Kingdom of Norway, with whom we are bound by a centuries-long tradition of good-neighbourliness. For the first time, Norway became a victim of the terror that has overwhelmed the whole world. I’m convinced that this trial won’t disconcert Norwegians, but it’ll only unite them in a resolve to confront this new challenge of evil. The terrorists managed to carry out their monstrous plan, which resulted in the deaths of innocent people. Whatever motivated the murderer, it’s a shameful crime without any justification. These perpetrators of iniquity went against the Will of God and Man’s Law. I pray to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life (the Gospel according to St John 11.25), that he might grant rest in the Kingdom of Heaven to the souls of those who died, and give solace to you, the families of the victims of the terrorist attacks, and the entire Norwegian people.

With deepest sympathy,

Kirill

Patriarch of Moscow and all the Russias

23 July 2011

Patriarchia.ru

Official MP Website

http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/1583619.html