Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov congratulates Orthodox citizens on Christmas
On January 6, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov congratulated Orthodox citizens on Christmas.
"Dear Orthodox citizens! From the bottom of my heart I congratulate you on the bright holiday of Christmas. Ever-burning light of the Star of Bethlehem, which heralded the birth of the Savior many centuries ago, lights up souls of Christians around the world today, giving them faith, hope and love. This wonderful holiday filled with the warmth of mercy and joy of maternity, reminds us of the inviolability of the ideals of goodness and justice, eternal spiritual values.
In Tatarstan, where Orthodoxy along with Islam and other traditional religions has historically been one of the fundamental factors of spiritual and moral development of society, Christmas is always celebrated in an atmosphere of goodwill and mutual understanding. <...>
I sincerely hope that the coming year will be full of good deeds and accomplishments, and each of us will make a contribution to the spiritual development of Tatarstan society.
I wish you a joyful Christmas mood, optimism in life, peace, happiness and well-being!
Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov. "