MOSCOW. Mar 3 (Interfax) - Russian Patriarch Alexy II, in his message to Pope John-Paul II, thanked the pontiff for congratulating him on his name day and wished him a quick recovery from his recent health problems.
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church said that he and the pontiff both agreed on the need for Orthodox and Catholic Christians to issue a joint statement on Christian values in the contemporary world.
His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia Wished Soonest Recovery Pope John Paul II
His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia sent a telegramme to His Holiness John Paul II the Pope of Rome with his best wishes of recovery. The complete text is given below:
To His Holiness John Paul II, the Pope of Rome
Your Holiness! Kindly accept expression of our brotherly prayerful support as illness befell You.
May the All-Merciful Lord give You recovery and strengthen You as You carry out Your lofty service as Primate of the Roman Catholic Church for the welfare of your flock and for common Christian ministry of peace and justice.
With love in the Lord,
+ALEXY, PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA
Another nice story of their interactions. I like the name day tradition. My mother, though we were raised Roman Catholic, continued the tradition she grew up with, with her kids and I do, too.