“The children of our church ... made the right choice in favor of the unity of the church, the unity of their communities and the preservation of traditions,” the patriarch said, expressing the hope that reunification would strengthen them, help “carry on their ministry” to thousands of compatriots in Western Europe and the indigenous people of Europe countries.
He noted that reunification recalls the importance of faith in overcoming disagreements between Orthodox churches in the future.
It is also specified that the patriarch donated to the archbishopric the ark with a particle of the relics of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Tikhon and the icon of the New Martyrs - participants in the Local Council of 1917-1918.
Earlier, the patriarch handed over the letter of unity with the Russian Orthodox Church, which was signed on Friday, November 1, to the head of the Archbishopric of the Western European parishes of the Russian tradition.
As stated by Archbishop John, joining will give an impetus to spiritual life in Europe.
More details in the material RT.