NEW YORK: October 21, 2009
Metropolitan Hilarion Sends a Greeting to Nikita Mikhalkov

To the President of the Russian Cultural Fund
Nikita Sergeevich MIKHALKOV

Deeply-respected Nikita Sergeevich:

I send my heartfelt greetings on your birthday!

We value your efforts to the glory of the Russian State and towards the resurrection of its holy sites, your great contribution to the work of returning to the Homeland the bright names and memory of those in the emigration who through these difficult years managed to preserve the faith and tradition of our ancestors.

Your tireless labors, unshakeable faith, devotion to the Church, the talent to reach human hearts of different opinions and viewpoints through your work serve as a good example, worthy of emulation by the new generation of the Russian intelligentsia.

Allow me, esteemed Nikita Sergeevich, to wish you good health, inspiration, the strengthening aid of God and blessed successes in all your good initiatives for many years.

I call God’s blessing upon you and your missionary work.

With love in Christ,

+Hilarion
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia