His Holiness Patriarch Alexy presents awards “For Outstanding Work in Strengthening the Unity of Orthodox Nations”
31.01.2003 · English
HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH ALEXY PRESENTS AWARDS “FOR OUTSTANDING WORK IN STRENGTHENING THE UNITY OF ORTHODOX NATIONS”
On 21 January 2003, the Unity of Orthodox Nations International Foundation held an awarding ceremony at the Hall of Church Councils of the Christ the Savior Cathedral. The event was attended by well-known statesmen, Russian Orthodox bishops, public figures, scholars, writers and artists.
His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia, president of the Foundation Board of Trustees, headed the ceremony and welcomed the guests.
The Foundation instituted the award for outstanding work in strengthening the unity of Orthodox nations in 2001. It is presented to statesmen, public figures and religious leaders in five nominations: Primate of the Church, Leader of the State, Political Figure, Businessman and Non-Governmental Organization.
In 2002, the award was presented to His Beatitude Ignatios IV, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East “for a great personal contribution to strengthening the unity of Orthodox nations and maintaining the Christian presence in the Middle East”; to the President of the Republic of Bulgaria Georgy Pyrvanov “for active help in the strengthening of spiritual and cultural cooperation and the deepening of mutually beneficial relations between the fraternal nations of Bulgaria and Russia”; to the Speaker of the Russian State Duma Gennady Seleznev “for boosting spiritual, political and economical relations among the states of Eastern Christian tradition and improving church-state relations in Russia”; to the president of the Estonian Industrialists Association Aadu Luukas “for a considerable contribution to the improvement of inter-ethnic relations and business cooperation in Estonia and for active charity work”; to the Orthodox Academy of Crete “for versatile work aimed at strengthening the witness of Orthodox ministry to the world.”
A concert of church music was given, performing at which were the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia, choirs of the Moscow Theological Seminary and Academy and St. Nicholas church museum at the Tretyakov Gallery as well as other Orthodox artistic collectives.
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