Condelence letter to His Holiness Kyrill I

Geneva, January 25, 2011


Your Holiness,

We write to express our shock and sadness at the news of the bombing at Domodedovo Airport yesterday evening. We condemn this act of indiscriminate and lethal violence that has been committed at Moscow’s busiest airport and against people in Russia. Tragedy has struck in everyday life. It affects your society and is close to the life of your church, yet is also felt far away.

People waiting to greet arriving family and friends on flights coming and going from other cities and capitals in some of our countries are suddenly the target of a deadly attack. At least 35 are killed, more than 160 injured and many more traumatized. Among the many casualties from Russia are also some from other countries.

On behalf of our member churches here in Europe and in other regions of the world, we send condolences to your church and to those who are suffering such great loss. We pray for God’s mercy and consolation. We are mindful of the people working in emergency medical care, at the airport, the police and security workers.

May all those affected, in churches and communities, know of concern and support from churches and communities abroad. We also pray for God to guide the authorities who are charged with public safety and with the important work of law and justice in service of the public good.

Please convey our condolences to the families of the victims and the news that many are praying for those affected by this tragic event.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit                  Rev. Prof. Dr Viorel Ionita

General Secretary                            Interim General Secretary

World Council of Churches                Conference of European Churches