The message reads, in part:
“This festival commemorates the Slavs’ spiritual kinship and closeness of national traditions. It has been widely celebrated in Russia and abroad for over twenty years, and helps people to learn more about their history and culture, as well as the traditions of fraternal nations.
The Russian Orthodox Church plays a special role in organising the celebrations in honour of the great educators Cyril and Methodius. Together with the state, it actively promotes respect for Slavic languages and cultures, strengthening the fundamental moral values and unity of Orthodoxy. In today’s world, the efforts of the Church are an important factor in the expansion of inter-religious dialogue and the development of interstate relations.”