On 28 January President of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic Bako Sahakyan sent a congratulatory letter to the newly elected Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill. The letter reads as follows: “Your Holiness, On behalf of the authorities and people of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic I cordially congratulate You on being elected Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. Your personal qualities and experience, knowledge and unshakeable faith create a firm foundation to carry out effectively the difficult and important mission of the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church. I hope that under your leadership the ties between the Russian Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic sister churches will further deepen and which will have a positive impact on strengthening Russian-Armenian relations. I congratulate You once again and wish peace, happiness, robust health and success in all Your God-pleasing undertakings.”