HOLY FATHER'S EASTER GREETINGS TO ORTHODOX CHURCHES

VATICAN CITY, APR 11, 1999 (VIS) - Following the Regina Coeli prayer, the Holy Father spoke to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square and recalled that "today, as I said a short while ago, the Orthodox Churches celebrate Easter. With joy I join our Orthodox brothers in prayer, sending them my very best wishes.

"May the peace which Christ announced to the disciples in the day of His Resurrection reign always among believers. At this moment, my thoughts turn in a special way to those who are suffering because of the war. May the hope of peace sustain them in this difficult trial and make them ever greater builders of a coexistence respectful of the rights of each one and marked by a fraternal solidarity."

John Paul II then extended "a special greeting to the Marthoma Christians from the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Churches, who today celebrate the appearance of the Risen Lord to the Apostle St. Thomas. I pray that Almighty God will continue to bless your communities with vigorous faith and generosity in works of charity."

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