Your Beatitude, It is with feelings of respect and great emotion that the Greek delegation witnessed the Holy Light ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre – a symbol of life, a symbol of hope for all Orthodox Christians. This year we have the honour of receiving the Holy Light from your hands and the privilege of conveying it and the message of the resurrection to Greece. Through its long history, the Church of Jerusalem has borne witness to Greek Orthodox suffering in the midst of various difficulties, ensuring the continuity of the Patriarchate’s Institutions and the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood. The Greek state remains a firm supporter of the Ancient Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Hagiotaphite Brotherhood in the effort to safeguard the sacred privileges and spiritual role of the Church of Holy Zion. Your Beatitude, I am certain that we are all overcome with the same feelings of reverence, devoutness and hope that the Everlasting Light, on its course from the Holy Land to our homeland, will light the darkness and warm our souls with the message of life, joy, peace and hope. Christ is Risen, Many Happy Returns!