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His Holiness Patriarch Alexy is presented with the highest Latvian state award

27.05.2006 · Архив 2005-2009, События  

On 27 May 2006, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia met with the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga in the Riga Castle (Presidential Palace).

The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church wrote in the guest book: ‘I cordially thank Her Excellency the President of the Latvian Republic for the invitation to visit Latvia. It is the first visit of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Latvian Orthodox Church and the beautiful Latvia. May Latvia prosper and may God protect it.’

Ms. Vike-Freiberga presented His Holiness with the highest Latvian award – the Order of Three Stars, 1st class, and said that religious life and Orthodox traditions were being revived in Russia and in other countries on the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church through His Holiness’ work and care. His Holiness Patriarch Alexy cordially thanked the head of the Latvian state for the award and said that he regarded it as a sign of high appreciation of the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church as a whole.

His Holiness presented the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga with the Order of St. Olga, Equal-to-the-Apostles, 1st class, in consideration of her services to the establishment of friendly relations among representatives of different religious communities and her assistance to the Latvian Orthodox Church in the revival of the ruined holy places, for instance, the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ in Riga.

The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church decided that the Order of St. Olga, Equal-to-the-Apostles, 1st class, should be awarded only to women who are the heads of the states. The Latvian President is the first to be presented with this award.

His Holiness the Patriarch and the Latvian President exchanged souvenirs. His Holiness presented Ms. Vike-Freiberga with the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.

His Holiness the Patriarch laid flowers at the Monument of Freedom. President Vike-Freiberga took part in the ceremony. His Holiness approached the people gathered in the square. They joyfully greeted the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, thanked him for the visit and asked for his primatial blessing.