Congratulation of the President of the Republic on the occasion of the 60th birthday of Archbishop Jaan Kiivit on February 21, 2000
21.02.2000

Honourable Archbishop,
Dear Jaan Kiivit,


First, I congratulate you with all my heart on the occasion of your sixtieth birthday!

Yet please let me, also on this festive day, speak of your continuous work for the greater good of church. But also for the greater good of the Estonian people. Church work can not really be separated from the workings of the state -- the Estonian constitution has indeed separated the church from the state, but no one has said that the church were to separate itself from the state.

On the contrary. Human charity and bringing God's word to people, to make the Estonian society and state better, is your work. As well as mediating God's grace to humans, to enlighten their souls and free them of heavy burdens, in spite of hard times. This is also your work.

The most beautiful fruit your work can bear -- just like mine -- is the improvement of Estonia.

Of course, you are not alone in your efforts. With all the Evangelic Lutheran Church, you are called upon to set yourselves the tasks that would give the church, that was outlawed in the Soviet times, the position influencing our social life that the mature European society expects.

I am sure you are doing your job with joy and devotion.

For this, I wish you happiness, and the patient mind of the highest shepherd.