Bishop Emeritus Arri Kugappi extended Christmas greetings in Finnish on the TV channel of the Karelia State TV and Radio Broadcasting Company, a regional branch of VGTRK, a major state-owned broadcaster in Russia which operates many television and radio channels in 53 of Russia’s languages.Below is an English translation of Darya Shkurlyatyeva’s Russian translation from the Finnish:
“Dear Friends, All People who are watching this TV broadcast from Karelia,
“For me who was born in Karelia, it’s a great honor and joy to greet you on such a great holiday, the Nativity of Christ!
“The nativity was given us from above: God became Man, so that we may have life. The Savior is born! I’d like to read a text from the Gospel of Luke, the angel’s greeting that the shepherds heard on the field: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
“Today, the whole world bends the knee to the manger of Jesus Christ, for God became Man, so that we may be with Him, draw near to Him, and in faith find new hope and new life, so that the Word may be fulfilled: “God wishes all people to be saved,” and that takes place through the faith in Jesus Christ. There’s a beautiful Christmas song that says,
“The Heavens are open, the angels’ choir is singing,
Heaven and earth are proclaiming great news.
May joy come to every home,
God’s Son is born on earth,
Born among us!
Amen. Honor and Glory be to Jesus Christ!”