Metropolitan Ignatius of Saratov and Volsky has sent a Christmas greeting to Saratov University.

‘Congratulations on the great celebration of all Christians – Christmas, the coming into the world of the incarnate God, our Redeemer and Saviour!

In these joyful days, I wish you that angelic chants resound in your heart, that the road of the shepherds of Bethlehem and the Magi will always be your road; that the inevitable suffering and anxiety on this earth will not plunge you into despondency, because the Lord Jesus Christ is with us all the days until the end of the century. Let us remember that He is always able to comfort us and that earthly life is only a step to Heaven.

I wish you peace with God, with your neighbours, and with yourself. May each of us be that branch of the true vine that will bear much fruit and sprout into eternal life,’ it was written in the message.