We have always declared that war in the name of religion is war against religion, and that we must separate political from religious activism, so that what is done by political dictates is not confused with what is taught by our three monotheistic religions.

We salute you for your steadfastness in maintaining the faith of your ancestral tradition, as well as your love for the beautiful, spiritual, cultural and folk traditions in which you reverently persevere. Truly it is out of respect and love for the memory of your forebears that you have clung to your ecclesiastical and ancestral customs.

We call for an end to the killing of one another, and we denounce the violence and fanaticism that threatens life. The victory of the resurrection must be experienced as a victory of life, of brotherhood, of the future, of hope.

We are in very good relationships with the present pope, Benedict XVI, and I'm in the very happy position to announce to you that we are going to restart the dialogue on the international global level between the Orthodox church and the Roman Catholic church.

It is incumbent upon the enlightened leadership of the three religions to express with one voice once again the desire of God for peaceful co-existence among peoples.

Once you begin to believe there is help "out there," you will know it to be true.