users of the global Internet electronic system!

I am pleased to address to you on the occasion of the opening of an official page of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Internet.

This is not an accidental step. We don't mean to follow the fashion or to go in self-advertising. It is of great importance for the hierarchy of the Moscow Patriarchate to have the possibility of direct addressing millions of people in the contemporary world. We consider it our duty, being the Church for which mission and witnessing of everlasting Christian values is an integral part of life and ministry. We thank God for this generous gift of new communication technologies, bestowed upon us. It would be wrong to dug this talent in the ground (cf. Mt.25,18).

This event has another important aspect. The opening of the church server in Internet has been the response to numerous world-wide requests to provide information of the history, the spiritual heritage, the contemporary life of the Russian Orthodoxy, the position of the Church on many questions which raise concern in society. Sometimes we have simply lacked adequate technical facilities «to give defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear» (1 Pet.3,15).

Now every interested person can at any opportunity get acquainted with necessary first-hand information. This is especially important in view of the fact that sometimes various sources tend to provide superficial, distorted coverage.

In future we are planning to extend our page in Internet but already now one can find there most of official documents, decisions of Councils and of the Holy Synod, the latest news of the church life, draw reference materials on the history and the contemporary order of the Russian Orthodox Church. Special section is dedicated to external contacts, to questions of relations with society and states.

Modern communication technologies are accessible for many people and organizations. They have also become a part of everyday life of Eastern European countries. We hope that in addition to official server of the Moscow Patriarchate another pages in Internet will be opened by Theological schools, dioceses and even by several parishes. This will help to put into effect our desire to be open to the whole world and to every person. No doubt, that we shall advertise opening new pages in the network in out server.

Our acknowledgment to all those who has helped us to master new technologies and to implement this project. We are thankful to the Orthodox Autocephalous Church in America headed by His Beatitude Metropolitan Theodosius for support and generous contribution, and through her to Archer, Daniels, Midland Corporation and for the kind efforts of Mr.Dwane Andreas. We have been working during several years in the sphere of communications with the New York Diocese of the Episcopal Church in the USA headed by Bishop Richard Grein. With their joint help we have become able to install necessary technical equipment. I believe that our collaboration will develop in the future.

I wish all of you the assistance of God in every good deed.

With love in our Lord Jesus Christ,