Rustam Minnikhanov congratulates Tatarstan citizines on Christmas

On January 6, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov congratulated Tatarstan citizines on Christmas.

Dear Orthodox citizens!

From the bottom of my heart I congratulate you on a wonderful, life-affirming holiday of the Nativity of Christ.

The Holy light of the distant Star of Bethlehem, which heralded the miraculous arrival of the Savior many centuries ago, still shines brightly and visibly in the souls of millions of Christians all over the world.

This wonderful holiday has embodied the great ideals of love and mercy, high hopes and noble aspirations of believers to moral perfection, peace and mutual understanding.

Christmas Day is also a kind family celebration uniting people of all ages that adults and children are invariably happy about.

The enchanting, sincere Christmas atmosphere carefully preserves the traditional values of motherhood and marriage, encouraging believers to do merciful and righteous deeds.

Despite known difficulties and losses, in the past year Orthodox life in Tatarstan developed in the usual positive direction and was highly spiritual.

We are very close to the completion of the reconstruction of the All-Russian Holy Cathedral - the Majestic Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, which is planned to be consecrated and opened this year.

I am sure that this year will also be full of important events in the religious and spiritual sphere and will become a time of new great achievements and glorious victories.

From the bottom of my heart I wish you a joyful Christmas mood, good health, optimism, peace, kindness and prosperity!

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov.